The general consensus was one of disappointment that the Launceston driver’s V8 Supercars homecoming at the Tasmania SuperSprint did not eventuate.

But the faithful was understanding.

Ambrose shocked the V8 Supercars world when he announced he was stepping away from the driver’s seat at DJR Team Penske, citing a lack of experience in the Ford Falcon XG.

He was in the DJR Team Penske garage yesterday, offering support to Scott Pye, the man who has taken that seat.

‘‘One of the big reasons for coming was to see him here, but I do understand that he’s obviously feeling the pressure, so if it is better for the team I understand,’’ said Matthew Partridge,  originally from Rosebery, but who now lives in Bendigo.

‘‘Even though we have got to see him and get his autograph, of course, it has affected the weekend for me, but it hasn’t destroyed it.

‘‘Hopefully he will be racing here again next year.’’

That feeling was echoed by John Papprill, of Nile, whose wife Zoe had Ambrose’s autograph hanging around her neck on her ticket wallet.

‘‘I was hoping to see him race, but I do respect his decision,’’ he said.

‘‘But it hasn’t taken anything away from the weekend for us and if he’s up to it would be great to see him back [in the future].’’

Launceston’s Kurtis Youd, who has been to every V8 Supercars round since the category returned to the Plains in 2004, was another that showed no ill-feeling towards Ambrose.

This is despite the fact Ambrose had been a big drawcard for him this year.

He said it was the atmosphere that kept bringing him back.

‘‘That real passion, that Ford vs Holden feeling.

‘‘The others, they don’t really matter.’’

Except for in the garage between James Courtney and Will Davison, the true definition of passion can be found among the crowd.

‘‘It’s just great,’’ said Stuart Dickenson of Claremont, whose daughter Haylee was at the event as part of her 11th birthday.

‘‘The smell and the sound here is just awesome.

‘‘My grandfather designed Fords so it is in the family.’’