Improved crowd for the Sandown 500
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 18 September 2023
Supercars is celebrating an improved crowd which packed the grandstand at the first Sandown 500 in four years last weekend.
A total of 68,724 fans attended the return of the iconic race across the three days to see Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup fend off Brodie Kostecki and David Russell.
Not only was it the first Sandown 500 since 2019, but the first held in the traditional September times lot since 2018 after the previous edition was held in November.
The Melbourne weather turned it on with sunny skies all weekend and the fans enjoyed it one race day as Triple Eight and Erebus went head to head.
Although the back straight grass back was closed, there was a vibe of excitement floating around the paddock on Friday practice day.
By the weekend the entire track was open with cars lining up down the back straight and Dandenong Road for the first Top 10 Sandown shootout since 2007.
But by race day the heritage listed grandstand was packed like it has not been in recent years as many soaked up the 49th running of the Sandown 500.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard said the crowd figure was a success.
It’s incredibly pleasing to see such a large crowd of 68,724 attend the Sandown 500 over the weekend,” Supercars CEO Shane Howard said.
“This is the largest crowd we’ve had at Sandown in recent years, and it’s a testament to the unwavering support of our fans who turned up in force to cheer on their favourites at this historic circuit.
“Our next stop is the 60th anniversary running of the Bathurst 1000 next month, and we can’t wait to join our passionate fans at Mount Panorama to celebrate what will be yet another historic event for the Championship.”
Image: mark Horsburgh
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