This year could mark a watershed in the behaviour of Bathurst 1000 motor racing crowds, from drunken and rowdy to family friendly.

A cultural change seems to be underway, with police praising racegoers and reporting the 2008 event in central western NSW to be “very quiet”.

“Overall the crowds have been very well behaved and the resultant family atmosphere has allowed people to enjoy this iconic sporting event,” said Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites.

Police had made 40 arrests by halfway through the final afternoon, down markedly on last year’s 160.

They had also ejected 26 racegoers from the event compared with 68 last year.

Drunkenness may not be wiped out completely while adults are allowed to take a carton of beer each per day into the Mt Panorama circuit, which is temporary home to 33,000 campers.

But anti-social behaviour appears to be on the decline.

Charges last year included possessing prohibited drugs, weapons and fireworks.

This year’s arrests included a man who attacked a policeman with a sex toy and another caught wheeling around a TV on a home-made trolley showing pornographic videos.

Police used over 700 officers at last year’s Bathurst. The police presence was still at 600 this year, but they opted to be a little less visible.

“There was a lot of talk last year that we went over the top. We didn’t go over the top,” said NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens.

“There was also talk that we wouldn’t be back here year after year but I’m telling you we’re here to stay.”

NSW Police Minister Tony Kelly said: “We’ve seen families coming back to the mountain because they now feel safe.”

V8 Supercars events general manager Shane Howard said: “We’ve sold out more grandstands than ever before, and campsites were sold out a week before the event started.

“That says people are confident that it’s a safe environment that we’re providing here.

“There is a change of culture.

“In regard to our demographic, we’re really split 50-50 between blue collar and white collar.

“We’ve got a 30 per cent attendance in women, we allow children under the age of 13 free admission and that in itself creates a family environment.”

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