Holden teams' Tasman, SAR make changes for 2007

MURPHY AND DUMBRELL FIND NEW HOMES FOR 2007

V8 Supercar drivers Greg Murphy and Paul Dumbrell will line-up in new Holden team colours for the 2007 season.

Four-time Bathurst winner Murphy shifts to Tasman Motorsport to partner Jason Richards in the team, while Dumbrell, a former V8 Supercar Development Series Champion, replaces Murphy at Supercheap Auto Racing and will race alongside Cameron McConville.

Murphy's decision to move comes with Supercheap Auto Racing team principal Kees Weel's blessing, despite one year remaining on his contract.

"Murph has contributed a great deal to Supercheap Auto Racing over the past two years, but while we still had him under contract he has another opportunity and we didn't want to stand in the way of that," Weel said.

Murphy said he was sad to be parting ways with Supercheap Auto Racing, but was excited by the opportunities with Tasman.

"I appreciate what Kees has done in releasing me early to allow me to take up the opportunity with Tasman Motorsport," Murphy said.

"There's no doubt that Tasman has been building itself up into becoming one of the major players in V8 Supercars and that's something I want to be a part of. It has taken massive strides in recent years and with my experience combined with the brand new VE Commodores I think I can help it take the next step into becoming a race-winning proposition."

Dumbrell's move comes after four years with Larry Perkins' renowned Perkins Motorsport team.

"Driving for a legend like Larry Perkins is every young driver's dream and I was lucky to realise mine, but after four good years it is now time for the next phase in my career and I am excited about the challenge," Dumbrell said.

"The direction set for Supercheap Auto Racing, with its new VE Commodores being built in-house by Dencar and the addition of Jeff Grech to the team in the past week, is extremely exciting. I believe Kees is adding all of the right ingredients required in making a major step forward and I am looking forward to being a part of the team's future successes."

The 2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series gets underway with the Clipsal 500 street race in Adelaide on 1-4 March.

-credit: holden