V8 legend returns to Bay karting roots

TOPRIDE: The ex-Australian V8 Supercar which will be on display at the Roy's Hill Karting track this weekend.

It would be fair to say that Hawke's Bay-born V8 star and four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy knows his way around the Roy's Hill karting circuit pretty well.

That's where he first tasted motorsport - he was 8 years old and got the thirst for track action and competition pretty quickly.

So he was delighted to get back home to the Bay this weekend (he's constantly on the motorsport move) to catch up with the karting scene again - not to mention give the spectators at this weekend's 47th annual Blossom Sprint Meeting a close look at a genuine ex-Australian V8 Supercar.

While the V8 will stay in the pits, he will take to the track to do a couple of laps in a kart to set a "hot lap" as part of a radio station competition, with six people who won a shot at taking to the track looking to get close to his best time.

As his father Kevin, a karting enthusiast from way back said, the winner will then get a ride with 'Murph' in the V8 at a track ride day which will be staged at Manfeild in November.

The V8 will be on display at Roy's Hill during both days of the meeting, which kicks off today from 9am, and Murph will be on hand to chat to fans, sign autographs, pose for photos as well as roll out some team racing accessories for sale.

Kevin Murphy said the V8 racer had been brought down from Auckland especially for the Bay club's big annual meeting and people can fill in a form to go into a draw for a few hot laps in the former Tasman Motorsport racer at the November ride day.

A draw will be made on both days, for two lucky prospective high-speed passengers.

The Blossom meeting has drawn about 100 competitors, aged for six to "50 or so", who will compete in seven classes.

"We want to make it a big weekend for the club and for people who like motorsport," Mr Murphy said.

And for him, and his son Greg, the event will be made extra special with the appearance of another Murphy - 13-year-old Ronan, Greg's son, who has also taken up karting.

"He's done half-a-dozen club days but this is his first big meeting."

Mr Murphy said karting had been the crucial first step for many top racers today, and this weekend could see the appearance of some motorsport stars of tomorrow.

Entry to the event is $5 a car and a gold coin donation.