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Greg Murphy and son Ronan Murphy will race against each other in the 2022 Golden Homes North Island Endurance Series.
Ronan Murphy is set to team up with experienced racer and 2x TR86 Masters Champion, John Penny, to pilot an Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT3 in the series.
The duo will take to the track for the first time this weekend, competing in the 3-hour race at the NIES season opener at Pukekohe Park.
Unmissable in striking highlighter yellow, the Vantage GT3 has only recently arrived from Australia – some may recognise the car as being formerly owned and raced by Tony Quinn, owner of NZ motorsport facilities Highlands Motorsport Park, Hampton Downs, and the newly acquired Taupō Motorsport Park.
“Coming from a 2-litre Toyota 86, it’s nothing like the power the Aston Martin has, so I’m quite excited about that,” says Penny. “Ronan and I are going to go out this weekend and get this first race under our belt, finish the round and learn from there. I’ve raced with Ronan and had him as a stablemate for two years now in the Toyota 86 Championship and he’s a great kid — he’s very eager to learn. He’s got some great skills and a lot of energy, I think we’ll be quite a good team.”
20-year-old Ronan Murphy is thrilled to not only have secured a seat in an ultra-competitive Aston Martin GT3 machine but also to be driving alongside the experienced Penny. After two seasons behind the wheel of an 86, the drive is set to be Murphy’s first taste of endurance racing at a higher level.
“I’m excited but nervous, it’s a huge opportunity,” says Murphy. “This is going to be a big learning experience for me. I’m lucky to have a great relationship with JP – he’s very experienced and really quick. I know there’s a lot I can learn from him. I also have to thank Peter Sturgeon for giving me this chance to drive something so awesome, I really can’t wait.”
To make things more interesting, Ronan will be competing in the series against his father, Greg Murphy, who will be returning to drive alongside Shane Helms in the Renault RS01 for the ’22 NIES season. Both the Renault and the Aston Martin are also being prepared and run by the team at RaceLab.
The #91 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GT3 is set to hit the Pukekohe track for the first time during this Friday’s practice sessions before making its Kiwi racing debut this Sunday the 8th of May.
Keyword: Greg Murphy and son Ronan Murphy to race against each other in 2022 Golden Homes North Island Endurance Series