Kiwi motorsport legend and television personality Greg Murphy will compete in this summer’s New Zealand Grand Prix 27 years after winning his first after confirming his entry into the race at Hampton Downs.
Murphy, the four-time Bathurst winner, took the chequered flag and etched his name onto the famous New Zealand Grand Prix trophy as a 21-year-old before going on to a successful Supercars career.
He followed in the footsteps of legendary world-renowned Formula 1 drivers like Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart.
Kiwi icons like Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon also featured as winners of the race before Murphy’s 1994 victory helped launch his international career.
“It was obviously the most significant thing that I had achieved in my career,” said Murphy. “I had won a few things but nothing that really announced myself as someone that could be a professional race car driver.
“The big thing – I can recall the feeling around it – is that it was like I had put a stake in the ground. It meant a lot. It was a progression and a key contributor with where I went next – at that point I was still a hobby I did as an amateur but that allowed me to chase a career.”
In 2021 a host of promising up-and-coming young stars will hope to emulate what Murphy did at the start of his career. Billy Frazer, Matthew Payne and Kaleb Ngatoa are hoping they kick-start their international career by winning the 66th edition of the New Zealand Grand Prix.
But they’ll have their work cut out as a crop of top New Zealanders find themselves in the unique position of being able to compete thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that has interrupted so much sport this year.
Supercars star Shane van Gisbergen and former world karting champion and sports car racer Chris van der Drift were the first big names to commit as a wildcard entrant. Murphy is the latest to throw his name in the ring with more stars expected to follow.
“It will be a massive challenge,” Murphy admitted.
“I think perspective needs to be applied – I’m 48 and haven’t done anything serious in a car, competing for such a big trophy since 2014 really. I have done a bit of GT racing but that was just fun.
“The competitive element will kick in – none of us wants to be there making up the numbers – but I will not have it easy.
“The fact that Kenny Smith is entering his 50th New Zealand Grand Prix was a big drawcard to competing. If my involvement helps grow the interest in the event then that will be a success.
“This event deserves to be recognised for what it is because it has fallen away a little bit over the years. By getting some top performers in other categories and stars that have competed before coming back it will help create the spark in the New Zealand Grand Prix that is deserves.”
Tickets are on sale now – visit https://www.hamptondowns.com/event/nz-grand-prix/ to secure yours now.
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