The smallest crowd in Australian MotoGP’s recent history at Phillip Island turned out to witness Jorge Lorenzo win one of the most dramatic Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix ever.
A lowly 31,500 people walked through the gates on Sunday, the lowest race-day attendance since the seaside Victorian circuit began regularly hosting the event in 1997.
It was well below last year’s 53,100-strong crowd that watched Australia’s Casey Stoner claim his sixth consecutive victory at the track before retiring.
Organisers said they expected smaller crowds this year given Stoner’s absence, but had been hopeful that the excitement of having a new winner for the first time in seven years and potentially new champion in Marc Marquez would be a big enough attraction.
A total of 77,200 people attended over the three days; only in 2001 was it lower when 75,870 went.
But Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott said he was happy with the outcome.
“Attendance was in line with what we had anticipated. We were expecting between 70-80,000 so we are happy with the result,” he said.
“International television viewership was strong, especially given the very competitive nature of the championship.
“This only furthers Victoria’s reputation for staging major events of international repute.”
Westacott said his team was constantly working to improve the event and attract new audiences.
“The future is bright for our young Aussie riders like Jack Miller (in Moto3) and the Gardner boys (sons of legend Wayne), we can expect to see much more from them.”