17 Apr 2009

Five New Zealand drivers in Hamilton V8 field

7:04 am on 17 April 2009

Five New Zealand drivers are in the running for the Hamilton V8 Supercar race this year but the prospects of a Ford taking out the honours are slim if history's anything to go by.

Holden has reigned supreme since the first round held here at Pukekohe in 2001.

The individual race count for Ford doesn't read much better either with Ford having won just one of the 24 conducted.

Greg Murphy, a four time winner at Pukekohe, heads the New Zealand contingent which includes Jason Richards also in a Holden, along with Ford drivers Steven Richards, Fabian Coulthard and Shane van Gisbergen.

The Hamilton round is made up of two 59-lap races of 200 kilometres each, the first on Saturday and the second on Sunday.

The first practice session is on Friday at 12.25pm.

Garth Tander in a Holden was unbeatable last year, winning all three races which made up the round.