Murphy looking for new V8 drive as team folds

UNEMPLOYED: Greg Murphy's Sprint Gas Racing team will fold after this season, leaving the four-time Bathurst winner looking for a new drive in 2010.

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New Zealand's four-time Bathurst champion Greg Murphy is looking for another V8 drive next year after his Sprint Gas Racing team announced it would fold at the end of the season.

Murphy and teammate Jason Bargwanna will both be out of work after the season-ending Telstra 500 in Sydney next month, with the team deciding to sell its licences.

Teams being formed for 2010 by V8 Supercar driver Paul Dumbrell's brother Lucas and Tony D'Alberto Racing have purchased the licences.

Murphy said he would remain with Holden in 2010 and is believed to be in talks with Rick and Todd Kelly's Kelly Racing as well as Super Cheap Auto Racing.

Bargwanna's future is less clear, though the 2000 Bathurst champion is almost certain to be picked up in the end-of-season driver merry-go-round.

The team, which has primarily been known as Tasman Motorsport over its 24-year history, enjoyed a good run of success at Bathurst with two runners-up finishes.

Sprint Gas Racing nearly pulled off a remarkable result with Murphy and Mark Skaife unlucky not to win this year's event, while Bargwanna and co-driver Mark Noske were on track for a podium finish until a late spin.

Tasman Motorsport co-owner Tim Miles said the team was simply unable to fund its level of ambition and wasn't content to remain a mid-pack outfit.

"It's a shame to end such an era in the sport, but our business model would not support the sporting success that we desired," Miles said.

The team has also been a great breeding ground for drivers, with current V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup a Tasman graduate along with Jason Richards and Fabian Coulthard.

- AAP