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.
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