Motorsport: Murphy to feature in V8SuperTourers

Greg Murphy says he loves racing at home. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand motorsport fans have their first chance to see the V8SuperTourers in action at the country's newest circuit, Hampton Downs, over the weekend of February 17 to 19 next year.

The opening V8SuperTourers' round is also set to feature Kiwi race star and V8 Supercar pilot Greg Murphy as a driver and/or team owner.

"I've been lucky to have some great success in New Zealand and I love racing at home," said Murphy from his Melbourne base.

"The overall level of competition and quality of racing in New Zealand has always been high, but V8SuperTourers has caught my attention because they are real race cars and the package gets my heart beating pretty fast.

"This is something that I have to be a part of - either as a driver or a team owner. I'm really exited about how things are moving ahead in New Zealand with the V8s. The existing NZV8 cars are getting a bit old and they've now developed something that will last for a very, very long time.

"It's modern, it's exiting and they're real race cars. There's not that parity word going to be used in NZV8 racing anymore depending on who runs a Falcon or a Holden. It's going to be absolutely sensational and you're going to see a lot of people wanting to be a part of it. With the new formula and look of the series I'm really keen to get involved as well."

Sixteen of the new V8SuperTourers are scheduled to line up on the starting grid for the opening round at Hampton Downs.

A new race format is in development for the new series with round one comprising practice, qualifying and sprint races.

The V8SuperTourers will race on the current 2.8km track and are expected to reach more than 260km/h on the 1km-long front straight leading across the finish line.

Tony Roberts, managing director of Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, is delighted that the first V8SuperTourers event will be held at his circuit.

"The Hampton Downs team is very excited about hosting the first round of the V8SuperTourers at our new facility," he said.

"And it's also been confirmed that we'll host rounds four and six. This is a demanding circuit with rise and fall, tough braking and blind corners, but the new V8SuperTourers will certainly be man enough for the job."

With facilities at Hampton Downs continually being completed and upgraded - like the recently completed pit garage facility - the V8SuperTourer teams can take advantage of working from the most modern racetrack facilities on offer in the country.

Murphy, in his role as a V8SuperTourers ambassador, believes that fans and sponsors will flock to the first event with the prospect of witnessing the best touring car drivers and teams in the country battling for the first race and round win at Hampton Downs.

"It's going to be a history-making weekend at Hampton Downs and it's the perfect place to have the inaugural V8SuperTourers event. They have put in a massive effort over the last couple of years to build this amazing facility and I reckon it will produce superb racing." said Murphy.

Other than the regular New Zealand Australian V8Supercar events in which Murphy has enjoyed great success, the Kiwi hero hasn't been involved in a local motor racing series since winning the Grand Prix and Gold Star Championship for single seaters in 1993.