how many of us were impacted by this  

I had stopped going to Flemington on a regular basis about 5 years before the paving.  Two things stuck out with me when I did make an occasional visit the asphalt Flemington.  1.  The racing just wasn't as good as the dirt days.  Keep in mind I always preferred dirt to pavement so maybe I was a little bias.  2. I thought the speeds were "dangerously"  fast, and was glad when they added those safer walls (huge "styrofoam" blocks) to cushion the hits.  It looked like it was snowing when a hot rod hit one of 'em!  Scott Ely