Murphy seeks V8 endurance drive for 2013

Photosport

BACK SEAT: Greg Murphy says he has given up trying to find a fulltime drive for next season.

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Multiple Bathurst-winning V8 Supercar driver Greg Murphy says he has given up pursuing a fulltime drive for next year.

Murphy, 40, had been looking for a new team to join after Kelly Racing announced the veteran New Zealander would not be part of their Nissan-bound operation next year.

A long-time ambassador for Holden, Murphy said he had considered switching manufacturers but opted to try to find an endurance drive for next year's events at Sandown and Mt Panorama.

The four-time Bathurst winner, who spent six months sidelined during this year's championship after back surgery, says he is not retiring from fulltime racing and feels he still has plenty to offer as a driver.

"The facts are that the right fulltime Holden seat has not appeared for me despite some encouraging discussions along the way," Murphy said yesterday.

"I know I'm still capable of being very competitive as a fulltime racer but am comfortable to turn my attention to the right endurance seat for Sandown and Bathurst next year.

"I'm certainly not retiring from the main game. Bathurst and Sandown have been very kind to me over the years and, with the right enduro seat in 2013, I have no doubt that I will be able to show pit lane and the fans alike, that I still have what it takes to be competitive as a fulltime racer."

Murphy made his fulltime debut for the Holden Racing Team in 1997, and has competed in 15 seasons of V8 Supercars, finishing as series runner-up in 2002 and 2003.

Apart from his potential endurance drives, Murphy is also going to retain his seat in the Mike Pero Racing Commodore for next year's V8 SuperTourers championship in New Zealand.

- AAP