Hunter drivers in the Newcastle 500 support categories have given a last-minute light rail track covering the all clear after opening practice sessions on Friday morning.
Aaren Russell, Charlotte Poynting (SuperUtes), Hayden Jackson and Gavan Reynolds (Toyota 86) came through their respective categories unscathed and weren’t troubled by the race circuit modification.
Supercars practice is due to start at 11:40am.
“We don’t feel it, these [SuperUtes] tyres could run over a curb and you wouldn’t feel it,” Russell, who drove Supercars at last year’s inaugural Newcastle 500, said.
“They’ll be fine and they won’t have any issues with it throughout the weekend. I think the Supercars will just run straight over it.”
The light rail track crossings on the corner of Watt and Scott streets were filled in Thursday afternoon. Work was still being done on Friday morning.
Supercars officials had held the long-term view of leaving the light rail tracks uncovered. A decision to change views was announced on Wednesday.
The light rail tracks were not installed 12 months ago for the first Newcastle 500.
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