Police say they are generally happy with community behaviour during this year's Supercars weekend in Newcastle, despite one ugly incident inside the race precinct that led to the arrest of four men on Saturday - with officers using capsicum spray on two of them.
Extra police were in town from across the northern region to help with the influx of people in the east end race zone as well as around eating, drinking and entertainment spots elsewhere in the city as part of a high-visibility police operation for the Newcastle 500.
The operation continues on Monday, but Newcastle City Police commander Superintendent Brett Greentree said police were generally pleased with crowd behaviour as of Sunday evening, despite some "minor issues".
"We are very happy with how the majority of racegoers and visitors to the region conducted themselves during this weekend's Supercars event," he said.
"While we did have a few minor issues - mainly disruptive [or] offensive behaviour and alcohol-related offences - these were promptly dealt with by officers, security and Supercars officials."
Paramedics treated two men for the effects of capsicum spray after a trackside confrontation between four men and police led to their arrest near Customs House about 3.30pm on Saturday.
Police told the Newcastle Herald after the incident that the men had allegedly been asked to leave a licensed area, but failed to do so and behaved in an offensive manner.
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The men, who were arrested in Watt Street, are believed to be a 34-year-old, a 30-year-old and two 29-year-olds.
A photo of the men - with their faces blurred - sitting in the cells was posted on the Newcastle City Police Facebook page, with the warning "you can't watch the race from here".
Footage of the incident circulating online on Sunday showed a man wearing a leg brace lying on the ground as police arrested him.
In the video, the man can be heard repeatedly and aggressively saying to police "you're a f***ing dog" and screaming about pain in his injured leg.
Paramedics treated the man at the scene.
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said he did not require hospital treatment.
The spokesperson said there had been no other major incidents in or around the race precinct as of Sunday afternoon.
Superintendent Greentree said police would be out in numbers again on Monday to make sure racegoers returned home safely.
"Drive to the conditions and leave the speedy driving to the professionals on the track," he said.
