Motorsport: Murphy arrival boosting Kelly brothers

Greg Murphy. Photo / Getty Images

The arrival of V8 Supercar veteran Greg Murphy to the Kelly Racing fold has given the team a massive boost ahead of this year's championship.

Todd Kelly, who owns the team with his brother Rick, said the 38-year-old New Zealander had slotted straight in with his new outfit after an off-season switch from Paul Morris Motorsport.

Murphy is a former teammate of both Kelly brothers and won two of his four Bathurst 1000 titles with Rick in 2003 and 2004.

Todd Kelly said Murphy driving the team's Pepsi Max Commodore, and the recruitment of promising up-and-comer David Reynolds in the team's fourth car, had given the team plenty of excitement going into this weekend's season opener in Abu Dhabi.

"We've got some of the biggest global brands going around but that doesn't mean much unless there's a bloke in the car that can do the job," the Jack Daniel's Racing driver said.

"Murph's one of those guys that you say to the team `guess what guys we've signed a new driver, we've got Greg Murphy' and instantly the whole team feels proud.

"Everyone's got that same confidence as having the sponsorship backing. It's a bit funny, we've had a couple of meetings at work now and a test day and it feels like we've been working with Murph for the last five years.

"After such a long break, to all get back together 10 years down the track or whatever, it just feels like we've never been apart.

"It's just one of those relationships that's instantly worked."

- AAP