Murray went on to win the round and claim the title, and finds himself in a similar position this year as he sits eight points behind Newdick and the Gold Coast's Paul Gaston.
"I would rather see Sam win it than the Australian. We can't have an Aussie come over here and take out our series," Murray said.
"After what Sam went through last year, he stuffed it up.
"But I want to spoil the party for both of them."
Murray and crew have replaced a dodgy fuel pump with a new one which they hope will make themselves quicker by a few more hundreths of the second.
Hayden Wilson also has fond memories of last year.
As navigator for driver Gerry Linklater in the 400 class and sitting on a comfortable series lead, the pair drove a calm night for fifth place to clinch the title.
This time, however, Wilson as the driver is trying to find a way to make up three points on Piopio's Brett Thompson over these final two rounds - preferably by winning.
"That's the best position to be in but in the bigger picture I've just got to be ahead of him. Hopefully I can get someone in between us to keep the [points] distance," Wilson said.
"I'll just do my thing, can't really worry too much about the other guy."
While this is his first Shelter View event in the darkness as a driver, four previous years as navigator will be more than enough experience on his home track, Wilson said.
"Navigating under lights, it has definitely helped. I'm confident with it, the only problem you have is glare off the water."
A number of the other Wanganui drivers will be hoping for a good night.
After three years of trials and experiments, Superboat driver Peter Huijs and navigator brother Gary are aiming for a strong finish in their quad rotary turbocharged boat.
The Huijs' sit sixth in the series after placings of 6th, 12th, 5th, and 4th in the previous rounds.
Their boat has a new hull and its engine has been upgraded to use methanol fuel, having been built locally by Pulse Performance, along with a full vinyl wrap designed and applied by Display Associates.
World champion Leighton Minnell sits fourth in the Superboat series, four points behind Australian Phonsy Mullan.
Meanwhile, Hastings driver Graeme Hill, who has won two of the four rounds, could open up an untouchable lead over defending national champion Peter Caughey.
In the 400's, local girl Donna Thomson is determined to put her foot down from the start to the finish for the Two a Breast team.
"I'm feeling more confident this time and I know the rotation really well so I'm just going to get out there and go for it."
For the celebrity boat race the stars will be NZ1 Drift car racers 'Mad' Mike Whiddett and 'Fanga Dan' Daniel Woolhouse.
The gates open at 4pm at the Shelter View Jetsprint Track in Upokongaro.
Points leaders after 4 rounds:
-- *400's: 1. Brett Thompson (Piopio) 87; 2. Hayden Wilson (Wanganui) 84; 3. Warren Farr (Taupo) 79.
-- *Group A: 1=. Sam Newdick (Hamilton) 88; 1=. Paul Gaston (Australia) 88; 3. Richard Murray (Wanganui) 80.
-- Superboats: 1. Graeme Hill (Hastings) 114; 2. Peter Caughey (Christchurch) 109; 3. Phonsy Mullan (Australia) 105.
--*Results from Round 2 discounted.
