Greg Murphy just can’t get enough rallying and now heads to Geraldine in South Canterbury for the 2015 Blakely Pacific Ltd Spring Rally on Saturday 26 September. This will be Murphy’s third run in a gravel rally, an experience that the Kiwi motor racing legend has relished and taken to like a penguin to icy water
Alongside Murphy, and taking on the co-driving and ‘driver coaching’ responsibilities, will be the experienced Mark Leonard, driving a historic rally car for Stadium Motorsport. . “I’m very impressed with the progress Murph has made in just two outings,” observed Leonard.
“He’s just naturally talented and reads the road really well. I’ve given him a few tips but what many don’t realise that unlike circuit racing, with rallying there is no practice on the roads you compete on.”
Three weeks ago Murphy took part in the 2015 Royce Watson Memorial Hanmer Rally, coming home in an impressive 15th place overall.
“We had an absolute ball,” commented Murphy. “It was an incredible amount of fun and I went away rapped with the day and wanting more.”
This seems to be the key for Murphy’s improvement. “I think the important thing is that Murphy enjoyed Hanmer,” said Leonard. “His first outing at the Canterbury Rally was more difficult. The opening two stages were run at night and it was part of a national round, whereas Hanmer was lower key and more casual.”
Held in the Kakahu Forest in the Geraldine district, the Spring Rally comprises approximately 80km of Special Stages and approximately 75 kms of touring. First run in 1977, this year’s event is the final round of the popular Mainland Series and will feature a title show-down between Richard Bateman and Deane Buist. The event is hosted by the South Canterbury Car Club and is the type of rally on which WRC driver Hayden Paddon first cut his teeth..
The rally gets underway at 11:00 am with the first car due home at 3:45pm.
Murphy’s involvement in the Blakely Pacific Ltd Spring Rally has been made possible by the support of rally enthusiast Tony Gosling, Stadium Finance, Penny Homes, Peter Sturgent.
Good luck Greg and Mark and give it HEAPS!!!!