Greg Murphy says he hasn’t been tempted to pursue Bathurst 12 Hour drive next year following his recent return to racing in the Australian Endurance Championship.
The four-time Bathurst 1000 winner came out of circuit racing retirement to contest last weekend’s Australian GT Hampton Downs 101 alongside Tony Quinn.
The former Supercars star impressed as he helped guide Quinn’s Aston Martin to 10th in the third round of the Australian Endurance Championship.
The drive arrived just weeks after Russell Ingall and Mark Skaife announced plans to make their GT3 racing debut at next year’s Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in a Steven Richards Motorsport prepared BMW M6 GT3.
Having witnessed his Supercars Media colleagues land a drive, Murphy, who retired from competitive racing in 2014, says the news hasn’t inspired him to look for Bathurst 12 Hour drive.
Instead, he plans to participate in the Leadfoot Festival in New Zealand, which clashes with the February 3-5 Mount Panorama event.
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“Not really,” Murphy said of being tempted to return to the 12 Hour, which he last contested aboard a Corvette GT3 in 2013.
“I’ve enjoyed the low key approach for the Hampton Downs 101. I haven’t looked at the Bathurst 12 Hour or been focussing on it.
“It is another event that is going really well. If it was the right place, the right time and the right team I probably would look at it.
“But there is are lots of other things going like the Leadfoot Festival going on in New Zealand on the same weekend, which I’m quite keen to do.
“It is an amazing event so I will probably bring a couple of cars to that.”
After receiving a taste of the Australian Endurance Championship, Murphy is keen for further GT3 outings if it fits in with his schedule.
The 44-year-old is set for a busy 2017 after confirming plans to compete in the New Zealand Rally Championship alongside his Supercars television commitments for Fox Sports.
“I was fortunate Tony (Quinn) asked me to drive but if other opportunities present themselves I will look it,” he added.
“It is all about fitting it in given with what I am already doing. I’m focused on more rallying which makes it difficult.”
Murphy’s Supercars television duties continue this weekend at Pukekohe.
The Auckland venue was the scene of Murphy’s greatest racing achievements outside of Bathurst, having won the first three Supercars events held there between 2001 and 2003.
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