Rookie Murray didn't expect victorious Super2 debut

Rising star Cooper Murray says his Dunlop Series debut exceeded all expectations, but remains cool on his rookie title hopes heading to Perth.

Eggleston Motorsport driver Murray is one of 14 rookies in this year’s Super2 Series.

The 21-year-old is second overall — and leads the rookie standings — after a dream debut in the opening round in Newcastle.

Murray powered his #88 Eggleston Motorsport Holden ZB Commodore to pole position for his first ever Super2 race.

After a tardy start, Murray then overhauled veteran Jack Perkins to win his first race in the Series on debut, with Zak Best third

Murray then avoided the chaotic pile-up in Race 2 to finish fifth, ended up second for the round behind winner Best, and scored weekend rookie honours.

Despite having just two race starts in Supercars machinery to his name, Murray heads to the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint just 18 points from the series lead.

However, despite his fast start, Murray is determined to take it one race at a time in the face of rookie title glory.

“The start of the year couldn’t have gone any better, it exceeded my expectations,” Murray told Supercars.com.

“We left the weekend top two in the championship with a race win, a podium and a clean car.”

When queried about the title, Murray said: “We’re only going into Round 2.

“I’m going to go out there and try and finish every race as high as I possibly can.

“I’m not going to pull any stupid, risky passes just for one position.

“If we do that through the year, then we can be conservative towards the end and think about the title.

"Now, it's about performing in every race as best we can, and that continues in Perth.”

Murray, a junior karting whiz, graduated to car racing in 2016 and moved onto the Porsche Motorsport ladder in 2018.

The Victorian finished second in the 2021 Carrera Cup season behind current Supercars rookie Cameron Hill, and earned a call-up to the Porsche Junior Shootout in 2022.

While still getting his head around the likes of heel-and-toe techniques and adjustable bars, Murray still pulled off the move of the weekend in Newcastle.

Murray sized up Perkins and snatched the lead back with a stunning opportunistic move at the hairpin, and raced away to victory.

“I didn’t get a good start, and Jack got in front,” he recounted.

“I was behind for long enough that I could gauge where he was weaker, and where my biggest opportunity was going to be.

“I identified that he wasn’t as good as me on the power coming out of the staircase, and I was better under brakes into the hairpin.

“When I got close enough and he left the door open, I took the opportunity.

“It was a good pass, but there was a lot of respect given between both of us. We went alongside each other into the last corner as well.

“With someone of Jack’s experience, you can trust he’s going to give you room. It was good racing.”

Super2 and Super3 drivers will tackle two 40-minute races at next weekend's Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint.

All drivers will feature in a signing session at the grassed area near General Admission on Saturday (12:40pm-1:10pm).

Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint: Session times

All times AWST

Friday, April 28

Saturday, April 29

Sunday, April 30