Stars align for first NZ Grand Prix at Hampton Downs

Shane van Gisbergen, Greg Murphy, Chris van der Drift and Andre Heimgartner headline an exceptional New Zealand Grand Prix grid for the 66th running of the prestigious event at Hampton Downs on January 24.

It has been hailed as the strongest and most interesting line-up since the

1980s and 90s by New Zealand’s most recognised motor racing superstar Greg Murphy, who has come out of retirement to support the event.

“It wasn’t because I thought I could win the event,” said Murphy. “I grew up with single seater racing and the New Zealand Grand Prix means so much. We need to realise how prestigious this event is not only in New Zealand but on the world stage. I want to support that, and we have some great milestones with Kenny Smith’s 50th start; that really is something to celebrate.

“I’m honoured to have the opportunity to be a part of it, to support it and put my weight behind it and to help make people realise just how important an event this is.

“And for this particular Grand Prix, you could say it’s the strongest and most interesting line-up we’ve had maybe since way back in the 80s or 90s.”

It is the first New Zealand Grand Prix to be staged at Hampton Downs and the first time any Castrol Toyota Racing Series event has been held on the longer and more challenging 4km international format track, which has

10 corners and a current lap record of

1 minute 27.637 seconds.

For big names, look no further than Shane van Gisbergen and

Andre Heimgartner. Van Gisbergen is the current Bathurst champion, a former Supercars champ, a former TRS racer and a driver who really is at the top of his game. He's fast in literally anything he has driven and is guaranteed to be in the mix as the weekend progresses. Heimgartner too is as sharp as a razor and was immediately quick when he tested the Toyota FT60 for the first time. Murphy - another former winner - might be one of the older drivers in the field but he'll still be fast. Fitness over the 28 laps might be his biggest challenge, but he's been working on that and has done several tests and longer runs in the FT60 around Hampton, and all that will help with his endurance.

Then there's two-time Grand Prix winner Dan Gaunt, former A1GP NZ racer Chris van der Drift, Chris Vlok, Tom Alexander and the Leitch brothers Brendon and Damon. All are fast, skilled accomplished racers who know how to win. Each and every one of those six are stepping into their cars this weekend with the full intention of being on the sharp end of the grid. Van der Drift flies the colours of legendary Kiwi racing team Tasman Motorsports in what is another fascinating aspect of the weekend. Winning the New Zealand Grand Prix is a bucket list item for Tasman's Steve and Christine Horne to add alongside their Indy 500 and many Indycar victories, and you can bet theirs will be a well-drilled, highly motivated assault on the GP title.

Throw in young up-and-comers like Billy Frazer, Kaleb Ngatoa and Matthew Payne and you have a diverse grid full of character and talent, past, present and future.

And then there is the incomparable Kenny Smith, starting his 50th

New Zealand Grand Prix. Smith's been busy recently getting up to speed in his older generation TRS car after injury and is eager to get stuck in at the ripe old age of 79. He'll need a few stars to align if he's to win against such stern opposition, but in these strange times you'd never write him off. He has won on three occasions before.

The 2021 New Zealand Grand Prix will be one for the ages that is for sure.