Greg Murphy
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Greg Murphy (23 August, 1972) is a New Zealand racing driver.
Born in Hastings, by the age of eight he and his father Kevin had become involved in motor sports. He progressed through karts to saloons and single-seaters before moving to Australia. Murphy first competed at the famous Bathurst circuit in 1994 and impressed many team owners. The following two years, Murphy was driving for the Holden Racing Team in the endurance events, and won the Bathurst 1000 with Craig Lowndes in 1996. He drove for the HRT full time in 1997 and almost won the championship, but due to Craig Lowndes return from overseas, 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 FAI 1000. For the 2001 V8 Supercar season, Murphy joined a newly formed team, Kmart Racing, and had two Bathurst 1000 wins with team mate 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 4th in the championship.
He has become one of the best known V8 Supercar drivers, and has proved almost unbeatable at his home circuit at Pukekohe, Auckland winning four rounds (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005). At the Mt Panorama circuit at Bathurst, Murphy has the second best record for a Kiwi with four wins, compared to Jim Richards' seven. Greg Murphy drives for 'Super Cheap Auto Racing' as of the 2006 season.
During the 2005 Super Cheap Auto 1000, Murphy was involved in a heavy accident with Marcos Ambrose, ending his chance of getting three successive Bathurst wins.
Murphy also has a preference number he has used since 2001. The number is well known to most of the fans of V8 Supercars which is the number 51.
Notable career events
- 1994 - 2nd place in the Australian Formula Brabham Championship
- 1995 - New Zealand Formula Holden series
- 1996 - Won Bathurst 1000 and Sandown 500 with Craig Lowndes
- 1997 - First Full Season in the Australian Touring Car Championship (now known as V8 Supercar Championship) - 4th overall in championship
- 1998 - Sat out most of the V8 Championship while testing for Tasman Indy Lights team
- 1999 - Won Bathurst 1000 with Steven Richards, 6th overall in championship
- 2000 - Finished 3rd at Bathurst with Steven Richards, 6th overall in championship
- 2001 - Finished 3rd at Bathurst with Todd Kelly
- 2002 - Was given the biggest penalty (5 minutes) in V8 racing history because of a pitlane infringement by his team
- 2002-03 - Finished second overall in V8 Supercars series
- 2003 - Set the quickest lap ever on the 6.213 km Mount Panorama Circuit, with a time of 2:06.8594 s
- 2003 - Won Bathurst 1000 with Rick Kelly
- 2003 - Won Bathurst 24 Hour With Peter Brock,Todd Kelly and Jason Bright
- 2004 - Won Bathurst 1000 again with Rick Kelly
- 2005 - Fought with Marcos Ambrose at Bathurst after a large crash. Both failed to finish
- 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005 - Wins his home race at Pukekohe
Teams
Murphy has been in several teams while competing in the V8 Supercar series.
- 1995 - Holden Racing Team (endurance races only)
- 1996 - Holden Racing Team (endurance races only)
- 1997 - Holden Racing Team
- 1998 - Holden Racing Team (endurance races only)
- 1999 - Gibson Motorsport
- 2000 - Gibson Motorsport
- 2001 - Kmart Racing
- 2002 - Kmart Racing
- 2003 - Kmart Racing
- 2004 - Kmart Racing
- 2005 - Super Cheap Auto Racing)
- 2006 - Super Cheap Auto Racing)
Links
[Profile at Supercheap Auto Racing]
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