Four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy has driven a Holden Racing Team Commodore at a V8 Supercar race meeting for the first time since 1998.

Murphy, who will partner either Garth Tander or James Courtney in this year’s endurance races, competed in Friday’s two co-driver practice sessions at the Sucrogen Townsville 400.

Murphy drove both HRT VF Commodores in the first session, before concentrating on Tander’s car in the second.

“It was nice to get out on a really cool circuit like Townsville and do some laps, the cars were pretty balanced and I was getting my rhythm going,” Murphy said.

Murphy noticed significant improvements to the cars since he drove them at a Winton test day last month.

“The cars feel different, in a positive way. After the Winton test, the boys had a really good performance in Darwin and they’re just working on a few little things to keep the progress going,” Murphy said.

“Hopefully they keep improving and running up the front – it’s very encouraging that the cars are coming good leading into the enduros.”

The bonnets of the HRT cars were painted in New South Wales Blue (Courtney) and Queensland Maroon (Tander) to promote Holden State of Origin, and Murphy noticed a major difference between the two.

“There were no projectiles thrown at me in the Maroon car!” Murphy joked.

“I actually went a fraction quicker in the Blue car but it was good just to be back on track at a major V8 event.”

Murphy will have more opportunities for V8 seat time during the next two events – the Coates Hire Ipswich 360 at Queensland Raceway and Winton 360 – followed by the three enduros at Sandown, Bathurst and Surfers Paradise.