Murphy aims for sentimental Pukekohe win
13/4/2005 22:29 (Press Release) -
Local hero Greg Murphy is eyeing off a sentimental victory for Pukekohe’s ‘last blast’, as the New Zealand track hosts its final appearance of the V8 Supercars at next weekend’s Placemakers NZ V8 International.
Murphy won the first three official championship rounds to be held at the 2.82km circuit (2001-’03), which is located 40km south of Auckland, those victories a major highlight in Murphy’s distinguished career.
“It goes without saying that every race we enter I’m trying to win, but for sentimental reasons I’m hoping even more so that I can come away with another victory at Pukekohe,” Murphy said.
“For me, Pukekohe is a very special place in my career. Winning those three in a row was incredible and the reaction from the hometown crowds was unbelievable; those wins are as important to me as winning Bathurst.”
While third overall was the best he could muster last year, Murphy’s new team took the win with former driver Jason Bright.
“Last year was the only blot on my Pukekohe copybook, but my new team, Super Cheap Auto Racing won, so we’ve got a streak of sorts still going,” he said.
“We’d love to keep that going and leave the place on a high by winning again. That’d give the fans something they’d remember for a long, long time!”
While the spotlight will be very much centred on Murphy, team-mate Paul Weel won’t be quietly lurking in the background, the 25-year-old having steadily improved his results at Pukekohe over the four years the V8s has visited the circuit, from 17th overall in 2001, to 14th, 12th and sixth last year.
Weel says he is happy to let Murph have the attention for his hometown race, while he will be concentrating on a top five result.
“It’ll be something different travelling with Murph in New Zealand, he’s looked on as a bit of a rock star and with his results rightly so,” Weel said.
“For me, I’m looking at a top five finish, so that means if I’m going to give myself a better chance I need to qualify better. My aim is to start further up the grid.
“Our cars had good speed at Pukekohe last year, even though it was the first year we had been there with the VY/VZ Commodore Project Blueprint set-up.
“Our data coupled with Murph’s experience at the track should make for a potent combination. If we can achieve what we set out to do, then it will be a great weekend for Super Cheap Auto Racing,” he said.
The Placemakers NZ V8 International is comprised of three races, the first (100km) of which is held Saturday. The final two, 140km races will be run Sunday with all three races including a compulsory pit stop for tyres.
Five hours of action will be broadcast live back to Australia by the series official broadcaster, Network Ten from 12.00-5.00PM Sunday.
Release Date: 08/04/2005
Super Cheap Auto Racing
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