Murphy back for Bathurst

GREG Murphy will have another shot at Mt Panorama glory, with the Bathurst legend to return for another 1000km fling.

Set to make a Bathurst comeback last season until the coronavirus ruled the “lap of the gods” driver out at the 11th hour, Murphy was on Saturday confirmed as a starter, with Erebus Motorsport revealing it had another wildcard entry for this year’s race.

Murphy, who retired as a fulltime driver in 2012, will partner fellow Kiwi Richie Stanaway in an Erebus Motorsport-built and prepared Holden Commodore.

A four-time winner, and the man who etched his name into Bathurst folklore when he set the stunning time of 2:06.85 in a 2003 shootout lap that has became known as the “lap of the gods”, he said he and Stanaway would work hard to find form before the race in October.

“I don’t think I can put into words how important these test days will be for Richie and I,” Murphy said.

“They’re so critical for us. Parts of the puzzle have been under way for a while and, now with Covid sort of out of the way, we can absolutely be set on some goals and plans which will make a big difference.

“A lack of testing was the biggest thing for me last year that had me questioning whether we were going to be able to do the event and do it justice.”

He played down his chances after being announced for his return, and will have his first chance to drive his Bathurst car during a test day in June.

“This initial test day will really be about finding my feet again and getting some of the basics back into my brain,” he said.

“I will then go away and think about it to prepare myself for the next test.

“I’d love to be able to turn up and be really comfortable straight away, and feel really positive moving forward, but I’m also trying to be realistic.”