“That’s the feedback we’re getting,’’ Taree Motor Cycle Club president Craig Nelson said.

Now the club will focus on the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships to be held at the Old Bar Roadside Circuit on September 23/24.

Mr Nelson said a number of families from outside the area will travel to Taree's club and practice days between now and September to prepare for the national titles. Taree juniors performed strongly on the classic program, particularly Jack Hyde, Kye Andrews and Hayden Nelson, and this augers well for a the Australian titles.

Mr Nelson confirmed the crowd on Saturday was down on previous years.

“It was around 3500 to 4000,’’ he said

He believes this was a hangover from the 2016 event that was eventually cancelled because of wet weather.

“But the comments on social media showed that a lot of people said later they’d wished the come along. The standard of riding was top class,’’ he added.

Mr Nelson described the crowd as ‘happy’ and said there were no incidents.

“Our canteen figures were on par with previous years,’’ he added.

Bayliss described the classic as the ‘best one yet.’

“My day didn't go to plan but I know the crowd watched some of the best racing they will see anywhere,’’ he said.

“We had perfect weather, the track was great and we had the strongest rider line-up across the classes.’’

American Jared Mees became the first rider to win the classic twice with a victory in the 21 lap final. This followed his success in 2015.

Troy Herfoss and the 2013 champion, Michael Kirkness, filled the minor placings. 

Mees also said the this year’s event was the best he’d contested. He also indicated he’ll be back in 2018 to defend his crown.

“It was an awesome event,” Mees said.

“We had a good crowd, fantastic racing and perfect weather.

“I want to thank Troy and Kim Bayliss for bringing me out. What they are doing to raise the profile of flat track racing in Australia is truly incredible. 

“In the Troy Bayliss Cup I finally got the start I had been looking for all day, but I knew Troy (Herfoss) would be a big threat.

“Thankfully, I was able to hold on for the win and hopefully I will be back to defend my title,” Mees added.

Mr Nelson doesn’t think there’ll be any major changes to the classic program in 2018.

“We might have a couple of minor adjustments, but everything ran a lot easier this year, so we must be doing something right,’’ he said.