The Supercars caravan pulled into Newcastle on Monday, closing Wharf Road until December 13.
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Race organisers will embark on the Newcastle track's two-month build and pack-up for the first time with the light rail in service.
Supercars general manager operations Kurt Sakzewski said the tram, which crosses the circuit at Watt Street, would continue running to Pacific Park until late on Wednesday, November 20, two days before the race weekend, when it will terminate at Queens Wharf.
The full service would resume late on November 25, the day after the race.
As controversy raged on Monday over runaway series leader Scott McLaughlin's contentious Bathurst 1000 victory, workers began installing fencing around Foreshore Park.
Wharf Road is closed between Watt Street and Horseshoe Beach, and residents and businesses are bracing for increased congestion along Scott Street, where the tram is now running.
Clearways will be in place from October 28 around the rest of the track, which Mr Sakzewski said would become one-directional for traffic from November 18.
He encouraged motorists to use King Street to enter the track precinct and Scott Street to exit.
The track infrastructure will be much the same as last year except organisers have deleted the grandstand to the east of the pit lane building.
Mr Sakzewski said the KISS concert at No.1 Sportsground on Saturday, November 23, was close to a sellout and could attract 20,000 people, more than three times the number who saw Simple Minds last year.
Supercars is part way through a five-year contract to hold the race in Newcastle and has an option to race in the city for another five years.
Mr Sakzewski said the race organisation would not decide until 2021 whether to extend the deal.
The race's first year featured a thrilling series finale which ended in Jamie Whincup grabbing the crown.
McLaughlin won last year's title in Newcastle and appears destined to cruise to victory this year, even in the unlikely event he suffers a points penalty after team orders contributed to his tight Bathurst triumph on Sunday.
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