Destination NSW has asked Supercars to conduct a "detailed investigation" after video footage emerged of two men climbing and sitting on the trackside fence during Saturday's race in Newcastle.
The video, shot from a balcony above, shows one man straddling the fence near the corner of Scott and Zaara streets while Supercars flash past only metres away.
A man in a high-vis shirt approaches and seemingly gestures for the men to get down, but to little effect.
The video revived memories of a similar incident in Scott Street in 2018 when a man was photographed hanging out of a gap in the fence to take selfies while cars raced past.
In the footage from last weekend, one man uses a power pole as leverage to climb the sound-proofing on the fence and hang over the track.
He comes down then his friend climbs up and straddles the fence for about 12 seconds.
The man in high-vis gesticulates at the two men and someone on an apartment balcony yells: "Get down, you tool. Get off there."
A whistle can be heard blowing on the video, but it is unclear where it is coming from.
The man on the fence, seemingly intoxicated, then climbs down and he and his friend clamber awkwardly over the low secondary fence before walking away towards Zaara Street.
Destination NSW, the government agency that authorises the race, said Supercars was responsible for ensuring the event was conducted "in accordance with all applicable safety and operational requirements prescribed by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports".
"Destination NSW takes matters concerning safety very seriously and has asked Supercars Australia to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter to determine what additional safety measures can be implemented," a spokesperson said.
In response to questions, Supercars did not identify whether the man in high-vis was a volunteer, security worker or member of the public. It did not comment on whether the race should have stopped or whether its safety protocols had failed.
Supercars event manager Kurt Sakzewski said the behaviour of the two men was "clearly inappropriate".
"Security and fencing around the circuit will be reviewed to prevent a repeat of this incident next year," he said. "As the matter is currently being looked in to, no further comment is available at this time."
The incident raises questions about safety management at the tight street circuit, which in various locations leaves little room between the track and buildings.
Hard to be believe this access point on Watt Street. Jump a metre-high fence and you’re in the track. #Newcastle500@newcastleheraldpic.twitter.com/oW1zGjukr5
— Max McKinney (@MaxMckinney) November 21, 2019
The Newcastle Herald also observed several unattended gaps in the concrete and wire barriers where the low metal fence or water-filled plastic barriers were the only thing stopping fans from entering the track while cars were racing.
Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell said on Monday that police were unaware of the incident involving the two men.
"Cars travelling in excess of 200 kilometres per hour with pedestrians on a road, they don't go together, so on this occasion thankfully those two individuals that you talk about clearly didn't gain access, and we're very thankful that they didn't," he said at a media conference on Monday morning.
He said police were "absolutely" satisfied with Supercars and police planning for the event.
"Part of that planning is all about ensuring the safety of the race track, to ensure that people can't gain access, because obviously I think it would end in a fatality.
"That's something that no one wants to witness in this event."
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