They say that form is temporary and class is permanent and this must apply to the 2022 Repco Bathurst 1000 wildcard Boost Mobile entry of Greg Murphy and Richie Stanaway.
Four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy and compatriot Richie Stanaway recently tested their Erebus Motorsport fielded Boost Mobile-backed Holden Commodore. Murphy returns to the Supercars series after eight years while Stanaway makes his comeback since retiring from full-time competition at the end of 2019.
Both are class drivers and there is no questioning their pedigree. What we don’t know about is whether they can reproduce the form that is required to compete in such a great endurance race come 6-9 October 2022.
While some may expect that they should compete for a podium position, or even a top ten result, I doubt that this will be on their minds.
As Murphy has previously said, “Going to Bathurst is tough at the best of times, even when racing full-time.” As a seasoned campaigner, he will undoubtedly be realistic about what they can achieve.
“The limiting factor will be me,” Murphy is reported saying. “Expecting that I can run at the front with a lot of these very talented young drivers is going to be a stretch!”
So, if it is not a top-ten result, is this a mere marketing exercise for backer Boost Mobile? There will be plenty of winners for this exercise, thanks to Murphy who is the key to making this happen.
Boost Mobile get added publicity, fans will be hyped up to see Murphy back on the mountain, Stanaway gets an unexpected chance to be seen in a Supercar again and this may open doors for his future.
Let’s go back to the Alexander Rossi/James Hinchcliffe NAPA Auto Parts, Virgin Australia Walkinshaw Andretti United wildcard entry in the 2019 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. Then we had two IndyCar winning drivers, (including Rossi’s 2016 IndyCar 500 win), making their way to Mount Panarama for their inaugural entry into the great race.
There was plenty of hype and anticipation at the time but once the start flag dropped, the focus went to the front of the field. How many remember where the pairing finished?
And so it may be with the Boost Mobile wildcard entry. But then, they would have accomplished their objectives when the green flag drops.
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