Tander and Murphy both impress at Bathurst

Australian Garth Tander led the timing on the first day of practice for the Bathurst 1000 while New Zealand veteran Greg Murphy was taken aback by his best.

The Stanaway-Murphy Holden
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Tander, in a Holden Commodore, topped the first co-driver session at Mount Panorama.

The four-time Bathurst winner laid down a time better than any single lap set in 2021 Bathurst practice.

Tander’s 2:04.135s was not only his best ever lap of Bathurst, but better than Will Davison’s morning flyer.

Greg Murphy
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

It was an impressive benchmark, although forecast rain could prevent drivers going any faster.

Cars have gotten faster in recent years, and track resurfacing has also played a role in quicker times.

For reference, Tander’s 2008 pole time was a 2:07.296s.

On the other end of the scale was Murphy, who is making his first Bathurst start since 2014.

The 50-year-old has won Bathurst four times, and his 2003 pole lap, dubbed ‘Lap of the Gods’, is all-time.

Yesterday Murphy, in a Holden, wiped a second off his famous 2003 time with a 2:05.871s.

“Oh my goodness gracious,” said Murphy, who ended the session 22nd, some 1.7s off Tander’s benchmark.

“I’m enjoying it a little bit too much, actually.

“I keep training the brain to do things a bit differently.

“It’s just how good these things are under brakes.

Murphy is driving with fellow New Zealand Richie Stanaway, who is returning to motorsport after a couple of years off.

Cars will return to the track today for another two practice sessions before qualifying.