The 2008 event was notable for a large qualifying crash between Todd Kelly and Jamie Whincup, ruling the latter out for the weekend.

[1] Whincup went on to win the next two years at Hamilton before Rick Kelly won a rain-affected 2011 event.

Porter, born in Hamilton, died following a crash in a V8 Supercar Development Series support race to the 2006 Bathurst 1000.

Following the demise of the race, the trophy was moved to a permanent display at the Waikato Museum in Hamilton.

The council accepted a $1.25 million payout from V8 Supercars Australia to renege on the seven-year contract.