Greg Murphy celebrates another win at Pukekohe in 2003
Photo: Getty Images
6. Race one (2003)
First: Greg Murphy (K-Mart Racing)
Second: Todd Kelly (Holden Racing Team)
Third: Garth Tander (Garry Rogers Motorsport)
Marcos Ambrose entered the New Zealand round of the championship with a comfortable 72-point lead in the championship over K-Mart Racing's Greg Murphy and was in a position to try and claim the title at Pukekohe. The Kiwi leapt to the lead from third on the grid, but took his compulsory pitstop on lap three as soon as the pit window opened and came out in ninth, putting him in a direct battle with Ambrose as they attempted to work their way up the grid. Ambrose could only hold Murphy off until lap nine at which time they started going in opposite directions. Murphy continued to climb, while Ambrose started to struggle. Once all the drivers who opted to pit late cleared out of the way Murphy went on to record a comfortable win, while Ambrose finished sixth ensuring the championship would head to a thrilling decider at Eastern Creek.
5. Race three (2007)
First: Rick Kelly (Toll HSV Dealer Team)
Second: Todd Kelly (Holden Racing Team)
Third: James Courtney (Stone Brothers Racing)
The last time the V8 Supercars raced at Pukekohe Park Raceway there was so much action that the race had to be shortened, much to the chagrin of Garth Tander who felt he was robbed of the chance of taking the round victory. Tander had won the opening two races comfortably but he was hampered by a terrible pitstop on lap 15. The scheduled 43-lap final race was shortened to 36 after Paul Morris rolled his Commodore on lap five and then Dean Canto hit the wall on lap 27. Tander and Rick Kelly finished the round equal on points, but Kelly was awarded the round victory courtesy of his higher finish in this race.
4. Race three (2002)
First: Todd Kelly (K-Mart Racing)
Second: Larry Perkins (Castrol Perkins Racing)
Third: Rick Kelly (Holden Young Lions)
This race may have provided the most carnage at Pukekohe Park Raceway, although there has been plenty in the seven years that V8 Supercars have raced at the circuit. Two-thirds of the way through the race, Glenn Seton's Falcon slammed into a corner tyre barrier at the end of the long straight. In the process he removed the tyres and exposed the wooden spikes holding it down. Unaware of the danger, several drivers cut across the kerb and were forced into the pits with flat tyres. The trap caught out Murphy, who had been leading from pole position, Russell Ingall, Tander, Jason Bargwanna and John Bowe and allowed Todd Kelly to take a surprising victory.
3. Race one (2005)
First: Greg Murphy (Super Cheap Auto Racing)
Second: Russell Ingall (Stone Brothers Racing)
Third: Mark Skaife (Holden Racing Team)
After losing the Pukekohe round for the first time in 2004, Murphy was keen to regain his title as king of the Kiwis and he didn't mess around, setting up the platform for a clean sweep with a dominant performance in race one. Starting from fourth on the grid, he leapt to second on the opening lap trailing fierce rival Ambrose. The pair duked it out for the opening seven laps before Murphy made his compulsory stop on lap eight. He rejoined in 20th place, with many drivers pitting earlier. Crucially, Ambrose pitted a lap later, which allowed Murphy to greet the chequered flag first in an outstanding drive.
2. Race three (2006)
First: Mark Skaife (Holden Racing Team)
Second: Craig Lowndes (Triple Eight Racing)
Third: Mark Winterbottom (Ford Performance Racing)
This race may not have been the most spectacular held at Pukekohe, but it was significant in the history of the sport. Skaife's victory after also winning race one ensured he would take the round win ahead of Mark Winterbottom and Russell Ingall. It was the 37th round win of his career, which brought him level with the greatest touring car driver in Australian history, Peter Brock. The fact he achieved the feat in New Zealand was a testament to how far the sport had come from the days when Peter Perfect dominated the Australian scene.
1. Race two (2006)
First: Garth Tander (Toll HSV Dealer Team)
Second: Jason Richards (Tasman Motorsports)
Third: Mark Winterbottom (Ford Performance Racing)
Skaife may have sealed the record-equalling round victory with his win in race three, but it was his effort in this race, where he didn't finish on the podium, which set up the victory. The race was run with a reverse grid, which put Skaife towards the back after his race one victory. Doing his best to stay out of trouble early as the race settled into a rhythm, Skaife methodically worked his way through the pack to eventually finish fifth. The race was also Jason Richards' best finish at his home event, and while it was aided by the reverse grid format he proved he could match it with the best as he went blow for blow with Tander in an inferior car.
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