V8 SuperTourer series leader Greg Murphy will know tomorrow if he is able to race in the second round of the series in Christchurch this weekend after an operation to repair a ruptured disc in his back.
The Mike Pero Holden driver had been troubled by the injury which he suffered in a 2010 crash and re-injured in a heavy shunt during qualifying at the 2012 season-opening Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.
The four-time Bathurst winner will get the nod either way from medical advisers tomorrow, but has told V8 SuperTourers officials that he plans to be at the Powerbuilt Tools Raceway whether he is racing or not.
A number of names have been mentioned in connection with the M3 Racing seat for the South Island race should Murphy not run, but chief executive Paul Radisich said: "Greg is the championship leader and a crowd favourite so everyone is holding out as long as they possibly can for him.
"It's his call. Having said that, if it is not possible for him to race, we do know there are a couple of big name drivers out there very keen indeed to step in for a one-off appearance."
