Nick Cassidy replaces Murph for Taupo V8ST enduro

Speedcafe

Speedcafe8:36am 17 August 2012

nickcassidy-jackperkins-v8st

Nick Cassidy will replace Greg Murphy for the first V8 SuperTourers two-driver round at Ricoh Motorsports Park, Taupo on September 1-2.

Due to his continuing recovery from back surgery, Murphy will sit on the sidelines for the Taupo race, leaving Jack Perkins to lead the #51 Mike Pero-backed Commodore VE.

Perkins will be paired with Cassidy, 17, where both drivers will make their V8 SuperTourers debut.

The extra time away from the seat means that Murphy will make his next race start at the Dick Smith Sandown 500 in his Pepsi Max Crew V8 Supercar, two weeks after the Taupo event.

Cassidy, 17, has spent the past few months testing and racing open wheel cars overseas and, along with Perkins, got his first taste of V8 SuperTourers power at Hampton Downs yesterday.

Murphy says that Cassidy’s talent is a great addition to his team.

“It’s disappointing that I’ll miss Taupo, but it’s just a bit too soon to get back behind the wheel in race conditions,” Murphy told Speedcafe.com.

“Nick did a couple of races for GMR (Greg Murphy Racing) in the Development Series at Sandown and Sydney last year and he did an exceptional job for someone who hadn’t driven these type of cars.

“Nick has been off in Europe testing and racing, so we were keen to give him another shot in a touring car. He’s a genuine talent, and hopefully this can add to his resume and give him a leg up.”

Murphy confirmed that he will be at Taupo to guide his team of young guns in his famous #51 Mike Pero-backed Commodore VE.

“I’ll be at the event, directing traffic, and be there in support,” Murphy said.

“It gives Jack the chance as the number one pilot, which will be great for him. It’s a chance for him to get more comfortable in these V8 SuperTourer cars.

“All going well, I will be back with him for the second two-driver race at Pukekohe.”

Cassidy is looking forward to driving with Perkins at Taupo and says that it is was an honour to be invited to drive Murphy’s car.

“It was a pretty cool call-up. It’s disappointing that Greg has to miss the event because he’ll have so many fans who’ll want to see him race at Taupo. It’s pretty big shoes to fill,” Cassidy told Speedcafe.com.

“I don’t think we have an expectation. I’ll be supporting Jack, he’ll be leading the team, so for me, I’ll just see where I am after qualifying. That will give me a gauge on where my pace is at. It’s a strong field, so I’m not putting any pressure on myself. We’ll just see how it all goes.”

After a solid bank of testing laps at Hampton Downs yesterday, Cassidy is confident he’ll be race ready.

“They are very similar to a V8 Supercar. The brakes and tyres are a bit different, and it has been a while since I drove the V8 so I’d forgotten what they are like,” he said.

“They are a challenging car to drive, for sure. The test was a massive help. We only get one practice session before qualifying at Taupo, so the test was vital for me.”

The Fathers Day 400 at Taupo will be held on September 1-2.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

New sponsor joins Foggy for 2013 V8 SuperTourers season

1:18pm 8 February 2013

V8 SuperTourers
0

angusfogg-v8st-2013

Angus Fogg is ready to go racing with new sponsors PropertyTutors on-board as the 2013 BNT V8 SuperTourer season…  More >

Tasman reveals 2013 V8 SuperTourers plans

7:58am 8 February 2013

V8 SuperTourers
0

v8st-tasman

Tasman Motorsports Group (TMG) has launched details of its campaign for the 2013 BNT V8 SuperTourer Championship. In 2013 TMG…  More >

V8 SuperTourers are going Green

1:31pm 7 February 2013

V8 SuperTourers
0

gullforce10

The BNT V8 SuperTourers have announced an intention to reduce their carbon footprint with a move to Gull Force…  More >

MNZ Statement regarding ITM400 Pukekohe support classes

10:37pm 1 February 2013

Motorsport NZ
5

mnz

There has been speculation about the inclusion of V8 SuperTourers in the V8 Supercar event at Pukekohe on 12-14…  More >

BNT V8 SuperTourers appoint Ruapuna for Round Two

10:33pm 1 February 2013

V8 SuperTourers
0

v8st-ruapuna

BNT V8 SuperTourers have confirmed that the second round of the 2013 series will be held at the Powerbuilt…  More >

iSport Racing to run Storey in full V8 SuperTourers campaign

11:16am 30 January 2013

V8 SuperTourers
0

isport-v8st

Single seater ace Dominic Storey has confirmed that he will run the full season of the 2013 BNT V8…  More >

RACE COUNTDOWN

NZV8

Manfield Round 3

V8 SuperTourers

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Round 1

  • Latest story comments

  • Latest forum comments

  • "));
    Newsletter icon

    Get the latest motorsport news delivered to your inbox