New Zealander Nick Cassidy will drive for Greg Murphy Racing in the final two rounds of the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series at Sandown and Homebush.

Having competed all of his junior racing in karts and openwheelers, his drive for the reigning Fujitsu V8 Champion team will be his debut in a touring car.

Cassidy will test the Commodore VE at Winton next Monday in preparation for his rookie appearance. The car will be supported by Drillpro, Fuchs and Earthex.

The Commodore that Cassidy will drive was last raced by James Brock at Queensland Raceway and Bathurst.

Greg Murphy Racing Managing Director Kevin Murphy is delighted to give another talented young New Zealand driver an opportunity.

“Nick’s results in all the categories he has contested have demonstrated that he is a talented driver,” Murphy said.

“As well as racing in New Zealand, he has also had the opportunity to do a few invitational races overseas, so he’s really earned the respect of a lot of team owners.

“While he hasn’t raced a touring car before, many other drivers have stepped into the Fujitsu Series without any tin-top experience and have been on the pace straight away, so we’re looking forward to seeing what Nick can do with the car.”

Cassidy will compete alongside the other three Greg Murphy Racing drivers, Daniel Jilesen, Geoff Emery and Tony Bates in Round 6 of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series at Sandown, November 18-20.

Cassidy, 17, has achieved a lot of a young kid. He has won 10 New Zealand karting titles and finished runner-up on debut in both the New Zealand Formula First and Formula Ford Championships. He took second overall in last year’s Toyota Racing Series, has made a couple of cameo appearances in the Australian Formula Ford Championship and was also a contestant on the Shannons Supercar Showdown reality TV program.

The Fujitsu V8 Supercars Series will support the last two rounds of the V8 Supercars Championship at the Norton 360 Sandown Challenge and the Sydney Telstra 500.