Motorsport: Murphy a starter for Hamilton

Greg Murphy hurt his back in the opening round of the V8 series in Adelaide. Photo / Getty Images

Sore back won't keep champ away from last street race

Greg Murphy reckons he'll be in the box seat this weekend for the Hamilton round of the V8 Supercars championship.

The four-time Bathurst winner hurt a disc in his back - which he first injured in 2010 - after a massive shunt at the opening round of the series at the Clipsal 400 in Adelaide.

"I've got no doubt about that [racing in Hamilton] at all," said Murphy. "The doctor is very confident that once we take care of this issue, it will fall back into place nicely and we can carry on."

Murphy, who had surgery on his back three weeks ago, had a substitute driver for the V8 Supercar round in Tasmania. His fellow Kiwi driver Fabian Coulthard drove Murphy's car to victory in the NZ V8 SuperTourers competition in Christchurch last weekend.

Murphy is keen to get back behind the wheel. "Obviously there is a wound there that has to heal," he said. "It is still swollen but it is coming along as expected.

"Like last time there's some nerve damage, which slightly affects my calf, and we are getting treatment for that.

"I fully expect to be in the car. I don't want to miss racing in the final time at Hamilton."

Until Shane van Gisbergen's victory last year, Murphy was the only New Zealander to triumph in the V8 Supercar round in this country, winning four times in five years when it was held at Pukekohe.

Points after Rd 2
1 Will Davison 567
2 Jamie Whincup 549
3 Mark Winterbottom 471
4 Shane van Gisbergen 432
5 Lee Holdsworth 387