V8 Supercars chief executive Martin Whitaker is sure the category's future in New Zealand is strong.

Rick Kelly held out in a tight finish today to claim victory in a treacherous and drama-filled race one of the Hamilton round.

Live coverage from the ITM 400 V8 Supercars first race in Hamilton - top qualified Kiwi is Shane van Gisbergen in fourth.

Holden's Jamie Whincup will start from pole position in this afternoon's 200km race at the Hamilton V8 Supercar event.

Holden driver Todd Kelly has set the quickest time in the opening practice session at the V8 Supercars' ITM400 in Hamilton.

Next weekend Hamilton hosts ITM400, the biggest V8 Supercar event in the country. Susan Edmunds went to a meet at the Meremere dragway for an early whiff of V8 fever.

Declan O'Donnell has been revealed as the rugby sevens star accused of assaulting two men in a Hamilton pub brawl.

Police have released new images of a knife-wielding man who threatened a lone female assistant in a Hamilton sex shop last month.