Invasion of the petrol-heads

The Maori King, Tuheitia (right), welcomes Greg Murphy for the Hamilton 400 V8 series. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Thousands of motorsport fans will descend on Hamilton today for the country's biggest sporting event, which is expected put more than $20 million into the region's economy.

About 150,000 people are expected at this year's Hamilton 400 V8 series over the next three days.

Event promoter Dean Calvert said numbers were less than the 172,000 of last year's inaugural event, but ticket sales were going well.

With MetService predicting three days of fine weather, sellout crowds were likely.

"We would be bloody happy if we got to sell it out and the way things are going we will definitely get close to it," said Mr Calvert. "The track is a lot cleaner-looking, we've made it faster, there's a lot more viewing areas, it's going to be a quality experience."

The race's defending champion, Garth Tander, said Hamilton was a great place, the crowds were fantastic and the circuit was highly rated.

"Last year it was a bit of a novelty because everyone was trying to learn it whereas this year we've got a bit more experience - I think people can expect a good race."

Tander, who greeted Maori King Tuheitia and Tainui kaumatua on behalf of the drivers at a powhiri yesterday, said he was "feeling pretty good, mate" about his chances.

But Steven Richards of Ford Performance Racing, who took pole in Hamilton last year, said neither he nor the other four New Zealanders in today's race was about to give up.

"Last year you had myself, Shane [Van Gisbergen] was up there and Murph [Greg Murphy] was right in there at qualifying."

"I think we've got a very good shot at taking a podium place - we haven't come here to lie down."

Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock said last year's event put $28 million into the local economy.

"This is an exciting event for our city and we are certainly expecting the rewards to be very significant."

Race flags were up around the centre of the city yesterday as bars and restaurants prepared for the weekend.

Waikato Hospitality Association president Josh White said lessons were learned last year after the onslaught of customers which many bars had did not eventuate.

"We thought it was going to be carnage last year but it should be a lot smoother this time around."

CIRCUIT STATS
* Circuit length: 3.4km
* Circuit direction: Clockwise
* Average speed: 141km/h
* Maximum speed: 248km/h
* Fastest Point: Pit Straight
* Slowest Point: Turn 2 Hairpin
* Hamilton's circuit is in the Frankton business district and is the newest track on the V8 Supercar Championship Series calendar before the introduction of the Townsville and Sydney events this year.

What's on today
* 8.30am - GT1 testing
* 8.55 - Toyota Racing Series testing
* 9.20 - NZV8 testing
* 9.55 - Porsche GT3 Cup testing
* 10.30 - Samsung Miss Hamilton 400 Competition
* 10.40 - Toyota Racing Series qualifying
* 11.20 - NZV8 qualifying
* 12.25pm - V8 Supercar Champ Series (Practice - Part A)
* 1.15 - V8 Supercar Champ Series (Practice - Part B)
* 3.05 - V8 Supercar Champ Series (Practice - Part C)
* 4.05 - Porsche GT3 Cup qualifying
* 4.30 - V8 Supercar Champ Series (Meeting rides)