Greg Murphy - History

History

Murphy became involved in motor sports by the age of eight, progressing through karts to saloons and single-seaters before moving to Australia. He first competed at the Bathurst circuit in 1994. The following two years he drove for Brad Jones Racing in the Australian Super Touring Championship and the Holden Racing Team (HRT) in endurance events, winning the Bathurst 1000 with Craig Lowndes in 1996. He drove for the HRT full-time in 1997 and almost won the championship. Due to Craig Lowndes' return from overseas, Murphy only drove for the team in the endurance races in 1998.

In 1999, he joined Wynns Racing and paired with Steven Richards to win the Bathurst 1000. In the 2001 V8 Supercar season, Murphy joined the newly-formed Kmart Racing team and had two Bathurst 1000 wins with teammate Rick Kelly, in 2003 and 2004. Murphy had two championship runner-ups while at Kmart Racing, in 2002 and 2003. In 2001 and 2004 he finished fourth in the championship.

He is one of the best known V8 Supercar drivers (car No 51 since 2001) and has won four rounds at his home circuit at Pukekohe, near Auckland (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005). At the Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst, Murphy has the second best record for a Kiwi with four wins, compared to Jim Richards' seven.

Murphy's 2003 pole position of 2m.06.8594s at Bathurst stood as the fastest lap ever recorded at Mount Panorama until eclipsed seven years later,.

During 2005 and 2006 Murph moved to Paul Wheel Racing (PWR) where he initially had good results until changing to the Perkins engines. Since then Murphy has never really had any outstanding performances. Murphy joined Tasman Motorsport in 2007 where his lack of results continued.

Murphy joined Paul Morris Motorsport in 2010 to drive Castrol supported Commodore. While the partnership looked like it was to reignite the "old murph" his performances and a poor car failed to produce results thus the announcement came in November 2010 that the partnership would split.

Murphy joined Kelly Racing for 2011 in a late deal with major sponsor Pepsi Max. Throughout the year the Pepsi Max Crew car has undergone four different paint schemes all with a graffiti theme. Murphy has had varying success throughout the year and as he has become more comfortable with his car and the team he has had some good performances, including pole position at the Bathurst 1000.