Murphy Leaves Kmart Racing

[murph_fan]

Just heard today that Kmart Racings Greg Murphy will leave his team at the end of the season, and go to Paul Weel Racing for 2005!

As for PWR, Bright is going to be leaving this year and will set up his own team for next year.

Several drivers are in the mix to be replacing Murph's seat, Garth Tander the most likely possibilty, or Paul Radisich.

I think personally Kmart Racing don't have the speed lately especially in Murphs car. PWR should be a good team next year as they've shown this year they're at the top. Go Murph!

[Wazza]

That's good news if the team is better! I hope he can do another Bathurst success later this year. :)

[VQ]

I heard he was moving to Ford, I'm glad my freind is wrong.

[Perko_Rulz]

Maybe both operations will join together. What I mean is Greg Murphy Racing and PWR could join together.

[Bo0]

I heard he was moving to Ford, I'm glad my freind is wrong.

Yeah would not be able to see murphy in a ford to be honest, wouldnt look right, then agin we were wrong with Lowndes so anything can happen?

Brighty and murphy may do just a straight-swap with eachother. What were the circumstances with Bright's depature is it just because he is out of contract or that plastic bag saga on the weekend has tipped him off?

[Y2kGoofball]

possibly, although keep in mind HRT, PWR and KRT are still close teams, almost like a "family".

Partially because they used to be linked via TWR until it collapsed, they've still kept their union alight.

I mean HRT and KRT share the same complex in clayton dont they?

Anyway I reckon owndership aside Bright and Murph at PWR would have made an awesome team, Kelly and Kelly at Kmart wouldnt be the best pairings, but I think ricks going well and it might give Todd a much needed boost to out perform his younger brother.

I personally see Tander at HRT in 2005, I really do, or at least after todds contract runs out

As for Bright and a new team I dunno, he seemed to be the kind of driver who would rather drive then own a team. I mean look, even skaifeys agree'd taking ownership of HRT has affected him somewhat, he went from Series and Bathurst champ to 12th on the overall series board (after Oran Park)

I see Bright at CPR in #8 though!

and FPR?

Lowndes has definately announced he's gone, but on RPM on sunday Seton also announced he hasnt exactly locked in for another stint at FPR and is "considering his options", even as far as owning his team again, and I can tell you he'll be taking the Ford Credit sponsorship with him if he can!

[Mickcals]

Well apparently Seton has three offers at the moment one with Ford and two with Holden. I guessing that its either DJR/BJR for Ford and for Holden HRT or GRM.

owning a team is one of Bright's goals in motorsport and i think it was Holden's idea to do it anyway.

He already has some sponsors on board - Skilled Engineering, Sony, HSV and an un-named oil company.

Garth Tander is said to have already filled Murphy's spot at KRT

[skaife_fan]

This is all very interesting! But I couldn't see Bright ar CPR because Alex Davidson will be there next year as far as I know.

[lewi]

I personally see Radasich going to DJR, he's pro-ford methinks, plus DJR tried to get lowndes, so obviously there's a spot, and Radasich has experience. But then again, it is the team he left before.....(i dunno the circumstances)

If that fals through, it'll be interesting to see him in a holden

[Mickcals]

Apparently Dick Johnson and Paul Radisich are the best of friends which is why Radisich left for the first reason.

Plus i dont think Dick Johnson want Radisich i think Johnson is after either John Bowe or Glenn Seton two drivers who have the CV's that can bring a reaible car home in high positions (notice i didnt mention fast cars).

Thats the kind of drivers DJR needs, drivers that can drive reaible cars, for example Greg Murphy - look at this year his car hasnt been fast yet he is sixth in the championship. Look at DJR their cars dont have many mechanical failures and their DNF's are normally from on track accidents.

Johnson will be looking at drivers like Seton and Tander. Guys like Bright and Radisich need fast cars to gain results, due to their in your face attack and tricky defense, and at the moment Triple 888 havent given Radisich a fast race car and his result are good but not consisent.

I think Murphy will suit PWR and with his expierence he may even lend a hand in giving Paul Weel his first V8 Supercar victory at Sandown or Bathurst

[murph_fan]

Bright WILL BE setting up his own team for 2005 as I stated earlier. I reckon he shouldn't cause it may affect his driving like Y2k said.

Todd Kelly also resigned his contract with HRT for next season, so Garth won't go there.

FPR are looking at Alex Yoong and someone else I can't remember the name (no one whos in this years series)

CPR will have Alex Davison, Steven Richards and maybe Paul Dumbrell, im not sure if Larry's going back to 2 Castrol cars?

HRT Skaife/T Kelly
KRT R. Kelly/Tander
PWR Murphy/Weel
GRM McConville/ (Whincup, Radisich, Pretty)
CPR Davison/Richards/ (Dumbrell)

[Y2kGoofball]

CPR will have Alex Davison, Steven Richards and maybe Paul Dumbrell, im not sure if Larry's going back to 2 Castrol cars? he wants too although he's told Dumbrell he's only got one season left before being given the boot, so indirectly find yourself a new team for 2005 if you can because come 06 your gone.

I also think I heard mention that Larry's giving the Toll and Longhurst cars a boot.

On the topic of DJR Steve Johnsons also mentioned his searching for a new team because he's sick of being told he's only in a Supercar because his daddy owns the team and like Lowndes "only wants to do whats best for him"

So where could Johnson be off to and who would replace him?

Shane, although I trust you, where did you hear that about brighty? Just curious thats all :D

I dont know about bowe, he seems OK in the BJR car but you never know ;)

[Mickcals]

FPR are looking at Alex Yoong

Well Yoong i think has already signed with WPS, and will be starting immediately - Noske been boted from the team so right after the Enduro's expect to see Yoongs name in the #48 Falcon window (cause Yoong is already signed up for the Enduros)

[Skaife]

Yeah just on Bright I would really like to see him back at HRT. Bright has always been one of my favourite drivers since he joined Holden I'll be cheering him on for the tittle this year. Unfortunatly toddlers signed on again so it looks like we wont see the skaife/bright line up again.

Also FPR could be looking a touring car legend Alain Menu I believe I heard on RPM that he would move down to Australia and race in the V8 Supercars championship if he could find a reasonable drive for '05.

[Y2kGoofball]

all this talk ...

I had a dream last night Tander joined WPS for Sandown and Bathurst, and acctually won :eek:

[Aussie Muscle]

then agin we were wrong with Lowndes so anything can happen
Were you aware that CL's dad was a Ford man (racing the Cortina GTs), so i think moving to ford was slightly influenced by his upbringing (ie not driving for the 'enemy')

All very interesting speculation. it could be a good 'silly season' this year.

[Y2kGoofball]

I think he also saw an opporunity to try and bring some success to the failing AU era (and Ford) that didnt quite take off as planned

Same thing for Gibson, he thought he could use his talent, say like switching from a championship winning Nissan 6 cylinder Turbo to Holden 8 cylinder, except he got the shites this time and threw it in early :rolleyes: