Murph gives V8s rev up
MOTORSPORT legend Greg Murphy has called for a truce in the New Zealand V8 war of words.
As he prepares for next weekend’s Hampton Downs round of the 2012 V8 Supertourers championship, the four-time Bathurst winner has stated that New Zealand’s motorsport industry doesn’t have the resources to justify two rival V8 championships.
The breakaway V8 Supertourers have been a big hit in their debut season, with Murphy – racing for the Mike Pero Mortgages Racing team – being one of several big names lured to race in New Zealand in the category.
Crowds of up to 20,000 have attended Supertourer rounds. The series has also been a big hit on free to air TV with footage of some of the most hotly contested domestic racing seen in New Zealand in recent years.
Meanwhile, the profile of the long-standing and rival BNT V8s Championship has appeared to be on the wane.
Murphy said it was becoming increasingly aware that New Zealand couldn’t adequately support two series, stating that the new category Supertourers were here to stay.
‘‘I think the Supertourers are just trying to get on, do our job and make happen what the whole idea behind it was . . . that is to have a bunch of cars out there that are all the same and it comes down to the teams and drivers doing their job,’’ Murphy told Sunday News from Melbourne.
‘‘So far it has proven to be a huge success. We have to obviously maintain that. We are just getting on with the job. We shake our heads at all the bullets that are being fired in our direction . . . but people have got choices and everyone in this championship has chosen to go with Supertourers because we see what it is supposed to be.
‘‘Having a controlled formula in New Zealand is exactly what is required. The cars in this championship are fantastic to drive.’’ Murphy will go into next weekend’s racing action in third place on the SuperTourers points table.
The 2012 racing calendar has been one of contrasting fortunes for Murphy, with the 39-year-old languishing in a disappointing 27th spot on the Australian V8 Supercars points table.
He said he was an instant believer in the racing category, with the classes’ rules putting more emphasis on team work and driver ability rather than the size of a racing team’s budget.
‘‘There are so many parts that are better than where [Australian V8] Supercars are at the moment because of its controllled nature,’’ he said.
‘‘It is actually a bit of a relief to know that the Supertourer is there. I am looking forward to actually racing a car that I have more control over than the one I have here in Australia. I know I will be competitive, go racing and enjoy the competition side of it, rather than worry about how the hell we are going to get inside the top 20.’’
Meanwhile, Murphy said he was still no closer to securing a fulltime drive beyond this season in the Australian V8 Super Championship.
Currently signed with Kelly Rac- ing’s Pepi Max Crew, he is off contract at the end of 2012.
‘‘Where I am at at the moment is we are no closer to understanding where I am at at the moment,’’ he said. ‘‘We will take it as it comes, what will be will be. I am obviously very hopeful that what will be will be of a full-time nature in the Supercars.’’