Murphy comes out of retirement

Greg Murphy, with his Holden back in 2011, has come out of retirement. Source: Supplied

GREG Murphy will have a shot at becoming a five-time Bathurst champion this year with the V8 legend coming out of retirement to partner James Courtney at Mount Panorama in a Holden super-team.

Forced to end his illustrious V8 Supercar career at the end of last season when he could not find a team, Murphy was the hottest property on the endurance market before being snared by the Holden Racing Team (HRT).

The Daily Telegraph can exclusively reveal Murphy will partner former champion James Courtney at the Sandown 500, the Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 600 in a formidable combination that could see the man that snared the "Lap of the Gods'' win another Bathurst trophy.

Murphy last night said he was looking forward to buckling down with Courtney and the powerful HRT, who broke a long drought last round in Townsville to win and announce themselves as an endurance force.

"Winning Bathurst is the epitome of what we're all here for,'' Murphy said.

"Things have changed in the championship but Bathurst has retained its place as the absolute pinnacle of V8 Supercars and racing in Australia.

"The 'Lap of the Gods' was an incredible moment in my career, and fantastic that so many people have enjoyed and relived it.

"In 2003 the confidence was enormous and everything just played out. To do it again would be special but we'll wait until that moment to fight over who's going to drive.

Courtney was equally enthusiastic at winning the right to partner a Bathurst legend at Mount Panorama. 

"I'm the only driver out of our team that hasn't won Bathurst,'' Courtney said. 

"I've been close a few times but haven't stood on the top step yet.

"It would be great to do it with Murph; he really lifts to another level at Bathurst.

"I said I would get the car into the Top 10 Shootout and then hand it over to Murph to do another 'Lap of the Gods.'"

Fellow HRT driver Garth Tander will team up with Nick Percat. The duo won Bathurst in 2011.  

"It's fantastic to have Nick back in the car again,'' Tander said. 

"We've shared the car for the last two years, obviously with success in 2011.

"Nick did a lot of the pre-testing for Car of the Future and knows the car really well.

"You always enjoy the highs – and we did that straight-up in 2011 – but it's what you learn from the lows that moulds you and Nick won't make the same mistake twice."

HRT Managing Director Steve Hallam said his team at two shots at winning Bathurst this year.

"Garth and Nick have won Bathurst together before, while James has scored three podium finishes in the biggest race of the year and Greg's record at Mount Panorama is undisputable." Hallam said.

"We head to the enduros with two cars genuinely capable of outright victory.

"We thank Tony D'Alberto Racing for their co-operation and understanding which has enabled us to present two very strong driver combinations for the endurance races."

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