California-based Australian sprint car racer Peter Murphy is returning to Baypark Speedway for Saturday's second meeting of the new season.
Murphy, who hails from Clovis near Fresno in California, made four Baypark appearances last summer and raced to third place at the New Zealand sprint car championship at the Mount Maunganuitrack behind US drivers Jonathan Allard and Tommy Tarlton.
Murphy arrives tomorrow morning to continue his association with the Matamata-based Dalton's team, driving the same Maxim he raced last season. He will provide the first international opposition of the summer for top Baypark drivers Rodney Wood, Colin Entwisle, Skinny Colson and James Dahm.
Dalton's general manager Colin Parker said Murphy enjoyed his first visit to New Zealand last year and was keen to return.
"Peter's always a happy chap and he enjoyed himself last year. He really loved racing at Baypark and that says a lot because he's raced at tracks all around the USA and Australia," Parker said.
"We've been talking to him for a few months about coming back again and he's had a good season in the States and won some big races."
Parker says Murphy is likely to race again at Baypark on November 19 and also at Auckland's Western Springs for a big international meeting on November 26.
The campaign could also be extended beyond November into the Christmas and New Year meetings.
