V8 Supercars star James Courtney believes his partnership with New Zealand great Greg Murphy is the best chance of winning the Bathurst 1000 in his career.
Murphy was confirmed as Courtney’s co-driver for this year’s endurance events at Sandown, Bathurst and on the Gold Coast and it’s a pairing the Holden Racing Team (HRT) pilot is buzzing about.
Murphy, 40, is a four-time Bathurst winner and possesses one of the best modern records at Mount Panorama.
The 1000km classic is the one achievement missing from 2010 V8 Supercars champion Courtney’s CV, despite three podium finishes.
“I’ve been to Bathurst with champions like Jim Richards, Glenn Seton and Cam McConville, and now I get my best chance to date with Murph; he really lifts to another level at the mountain,” Courtney said.
“I’m the only one of HRT’s four drivers that hasn’t won Bathurst yet.
“I’ve been close a few times but haven’t stood on the top step, so it would be great to do it this year with Murph.”
Murphy, a long-time Holden driver, says he’ll be taking no prisoners in his hunt for a fifth Bathurst crown at October’s race.
“Winning Bathurst is the epitome of what we’re all here for,” he said.
“Things have changed in the championship but Bathurst has retained its place as the absolute pinnacle of racing in Australia.
“If you look at all the pairings in pit lane, no one’s got a better deal than what we’ve got.”
On the other side of the HRT garage, 2011 Bathurst champions Nick Percat and Garth Tander will again team up in the team’s No.2 Commodore.
It will be the third year the duo have teamed up and Tander was hopeful of securing a third Bathurst crown with 24-year-old Percat, despite an error by the youngster in last year’s great race.
“We don’t have to change anything in the car, we know each other’s likes and dislikes, so it’s just a matter of going to the enduros and doing our best,” he said.
“Nick made a mistake last year … but it’s what you learn from those moments that moulds you. I know Nick won’t make the same mistake twice.”
