Greg Murphy (left) says he hasn't been able to find a return space in MIQ to allow him to travel to the great race. Photo / NZME
Greg Murphy (left) says he hasn't been able to find a return space in MIQ to allow him to travel to the great race. Photo / NZME
Greg Murphy's much-anticipated return to Bathurst is in doubt because of struggles with MIQ's lottery system.
Bathurst 1000 is less than a month away, and four-time winner Murphy is "still very uncertain" about whether his Bathurst comeback will happen.
Murphy was set to make a historic return to Bathurst's MountPanorama Circuit for the first time in seven years since his retirement from professional racing in 2014.
Supercar fans were surprised when it was announced this year that Murphy would be joining young Kiwi racer Richie Stanaway as Boost Mobile and Erebus Motorsport wildcard entry at the 2021 Bathurst 1000.
Boost Mobile founder Peter Adderton wanted to pick up a wildcard for this year's race at Mt Panorama and approached Murphy and Stanaway about forming an "all-Kiwi team".
The Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama is one of the world's most iconic motor races. Photo / Edge Photographics
Now it looks like a critical component to that all-Kiwi team may be stuck in New Zealand.
With constantly changing quarantine regulations, there is a high chance that once in Australia, Murphy would be stuck and unable to get back home to his family and business in Hawke's Bay.
"At this stage we don't have an available guaranteed entry back into New Zealand and until I do, I won't be going", Murphy told Hawke's Bay Today.
Murphy's racing career included four Bathurst victories, eight Bathurst podiums, 11 round wins, 13 pole positions, and 28 race wins as a V8 Supercars driver before his retirement at the age of 42.
Murphy and Stanaway were set to run the former's iconic #51, a number he carried full time between 2001 and 2012.
He also carried the number to Bathurst victory in 2003, a day after his famous Lap of the Gods Top 10 Shootout effort.
The friendly rivalry between Murphy and Russell Ingall, with both retired drivers recruited as wildcards for this year's race, was set to be a fan favourite.
