Greg Murphy’s “Lap of the Gods” V8 Supercars
2023-06-03 12:30:00
Let’s take a look back to the Saturday, 11th October 2003 the day before the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000.
Ready for the Top Ten Shootout, Greg Murphy was coming off the back of a quick 2.07.9503 second lap during qualifying. In addition, the #51 K-Mart Racing Team Holden VY Commodore was performing extremely well all weekend.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Greg Murphy’s “Lap of the Gods”
John Bowe had already completed his Top Ten Shootout lap posting a spectacular 2:07.956 in the Brad Jones Racing Ford BA Falcon.
The stage was now set… If Greg Murphy was going to put Holden on pole position, he would have to put it all on the line.
Check out the footage from the Supercars YouTube Channel below as Greg Murphy enters uncharted territory on the mountain. Even to this day, you still get goosebumps watching this lap.
Greg Murphy had became the first New Zealand born V8 Supercar driver to set a pole position lap for the Bathurst 1000. Although Kiwi drivers Jim Richards and Paul Radisich had previously been on pole position, it was their Australian co-drivers who set the pole winning time.
.jpg)
Murphy’s time of 2:06.8594 was the very first time a touring car went under 2:07.00 for a lap around the mountain. The lap was also a whole 1.0992 seconds ahead of 2nd place John Bowe in the Brad Jones Racing Ford BA Falcon. It would take a further 7 years for a V8 Supercar to lap Mount Panorama faster.
Still known as one of the greatest moments in Australian motorsport, Murphy’s 2003 Top Ten Shootout lap will always be known as the “Lap of the Gods!”
2003 Top Ten Shootout Results
Leave a comment
READ ALSO
The Team Bray Drag Racing Train Rolls On
As the Top Doorslammer craze took over the world of Group One sedan drag racing, Victor Bray's star rose ever higher in the sky.
Robin Judd Straight Into A Top Doorslammer
Most individuals involved in drag racing gradually progress up the ladder of performance, commencing with a vehicle that imposes minimal financial or technical requirements.
Ben Gatt's Gonzo Capri
While Capris were marketed as a poor man's performance car, they hardly fit into the mold of a muscle car. However, they have nonetheless been a popular choice for the outer skin of drag racing sedans.
Peter Gratz Head of the Class
Drag racing in Tasmania has never quite reached the heights it did on the mainland, but it has nonetheless produced some significant figures in the sport.
Blown V8 Lamborghini Countach Drag Car
The Alf Sciacca Racing supercharged Lamborghini Countach is certainly a vehicle that brings about strong opinions.