Kelly Racing has formally confirmed that Kiwi Greg Murphy and Karl Reindler will not drive with the team next season when it becomes Nissan Motor Sport.
Although hardly a surprise to members of the V8 Supercar industry, team owner Rick Kelly took the opportunity today to confirm the news ahead of the duo’s final drives with the team at the Sydney Telstra 500.
“Rather than wait until after Homebush to make this announcement the team wanted to be completely open about the forthcoming change and ensure both drivers have a fitting farewell as they have been outstanding and valued members of our team,” he said.
“In the past three months the team were required to complete a comprehensive review of all the driver scenarios for 2013.
“All scenarios included the strong consideration of retaining Greg and Karl however for various reasons we were unable to hold them for 2013.
“Greg Murphy’s two year program has been a great boost to the credentials of our young team and his willingness to sign with us at the end of 2010 was important in our Pepsi Max sponsorship.
“Murph is a real pro who constantly pushes the team to lift the bar and his experience has been invaluable in the development of many of our technical staff in the past two seasons.
“His back issues and missing four races threw the momentum of the Pepsi Max Crew earlier in the season, and as a team since Murph’s return we haven’t been able to deliver a strong enough package to allow him the opportunity to compete at the front of the field which we all know he is capable of.
“Karl has been a great fit with everyone in the team this year.
“He has a great attitude, is a true team player, keeps himself extremely fit and also has a good feel for the business and marketing side of the sport.
“Karl is coming up to his fourth year in the main game in V8s in 2013 and will be knocking hard on the door as an emerging young talent in the main game series and I am sure will be in demand for the 2013 season.”
The team says it will announce replacements for Murphy and Reindler in the new Nissan Motor Sport line-up at a later date.
Murphy has driven for the team since the start of last season, his stint with his former Kmart Racing teammates Todd and Rick Kelly highlighted by a pole position and podium finish at Bathurst last year with Allan Simonsen.
Reindler joined the team this year after two seasons with Brad Jones Racing.
