Motorsport: Murphy predicting surprises in Adelaide

Greg Murphy. Herald file picture

Four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy is fired up for this weekend's opening round of the V8 Supercar Championship in Adelaide as he sets his sights on a series crown that has so far eluded him.

The move to the Super Cheap Auto Racing Team has refreshed the New Zealand driver but he believes the massive changes of drivers and teams during the off-season could see some surprises this weekend in the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

"It's hard to say who will pop up there. There will definitely be the 'regulars' in Ambrose, Skaife and the like, but there's been so many changes that there might be the odd curve ball," Murphy said.

The second round of the championship moves across the Tasman for the V8 International at Pukekohe on April 15-17.

More than half of the drivers from the 2004 championship have moved to new teams.

The biggest shift comes from last year's third-placed driver Jason Bright, who has switched from Holden to Ford to join the PWR team.

Glenn Seton and Craig Lowndes move from Ford Performance Racing -- to make way for Bright and Greg Ritter.

Lowndes gets the hot seat at the old Triple Eight Racing, now Team Betta Electrical, while Seton moves to join Steven Johnson at the old Shell Helix Racing team, now Westpoint Racing Team.

New Zealand's Paul Radisich moves from Ford to Holden and will race for Team Kiwi Racing, the only New Zealand-based operation in the championship. He replaces compatriot Craig Baird, who has moved to Holden's WPS Racing.

Murphy is pleased with his development in the new team and does not believe his results -- placings of 28th, a did not finish and 20th -- during the Australian grand prix meet in Melbourne this month were important.

"Our results at the grand prix weren't indicative of where we're at with our car. I'm very happy with the way it's falling into place.

"I had a good start to the year there last year so I reckon we're overdue for a victory."

Murphy, who will campaign the new VZ Commodore, is joined by Australian Paul Weel, who finished third and fourth in the past two Clipsal 500s in Adelaide in 2004.

There are two practice sessions set for Friday, followed by qualifying and the top 10 shootout. There is a 250km race on Saturday and again on Sunday.

- NZPA