Murphy confirmed for commentary comeback

Supercars legend Greg Murphy will make a long-awaited comeback to commentary at Pukekohe.

Supercars confirmed Murphy will be part of the commentary team as part of the ITM Auckland SuperSprint launch.

Murphy was long a fixture of pit lane following his retirement from racing.

He has since been lured out of retirement and will race an Erebus wildcard in Bathurst in October.

Supercars CEO Shane Howard said Murphy's return will bring extra weight to the event.

"We have passionate Kiwi fans who are keen to see their favourite stars racing on home soil once again in the best touring car category," Howard said.

"We’re thrilled to have Murph on board as part of the event and he will no doubt gain plenty of attention from fans across the weekend.

"We can’t wait to get there and once again put on a show for the fans at Pukekohe."

Murphy will dovetail his commentary commitments in Auckland with a one-off Ford Sierra drive.

Murphy and John Bowe will drive Sierras in the Archibalds Historic Touring Cars category.

The ITM Auckland SuperSprint will also feature the Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 Series, Central Muscle Cars and Formula Ford.

The Sierra Murphy will drive was the very first touring car he drove.

Murphy raced the Peanut Slab Sierra Group A car in the Nissan Mobil 500 at Wellington and Pukekohe alongside Kayne Scott.

That car has recently been purchased by Peter Sturgeon.

Bowe, meanwhile, will steer a locally owned ex-Dick Johnson Racing Sierra RS500.

The car, now owned by Lance Coupland, was raced by Bowe during the 1991 Australian Touring Car Championship.

It was later raced by Bowe and Johnson at that year’s Bathurst 1000.

Four-time Bathurst winner Murphy is one of New Zealand motorsport’s favourite sons.

He famously swept Supercars’ very first Pukekohe round in 2001, and won nine of the first 14 races at the Auckland circuit.

Tickets for both events can be purchased now through Supercars.com and Ticketek.