Kiwi V8 Supercar star Greg Murphy is testing with his new Castrol EDGE Racing V8 Supercar team for the very first time today.
The four-time Bathurst winner is taking part in the official pre-season test at Queensland Raceway, near Brisbane, with 11 Queensland-based V8 Supercars in attendance.
Driving the car in which new team-mate Russell Ingall finished ninth in last year's Championship, Murphy set the fifth quickest time before rain interrupted the test - the 36 year old quickly adapting to his new surroundings.
"Times aren't that important; today's more about familiarising myself with the car and team, but right from the very beginning I've felt extremely comfortable," Murphy said.
"I'm settling in well and the car feels good, I'm pleased with our performance - it's been a very good start."
At the lunchtime break, reigning V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup had set the quickest time in his brand new TeamVodafone Holden Commodore, just edging Ingall and team-mate Craig Lowndes - James Courtney the first Ford driver fourth quickest.
Ingall was driving his brand new Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore, the first of three being built by the Paul Morris Motorsports team as part of its technical alliance with Championship winners, Triple Eight Race Engineering.
Murphy will receive a brand new Castrol EDGE Commodore in time for the third round of the series - the first Australian round - the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide in late March.
Murphy will make his first race appearance in the Castrol EDGE Commodore in the second round of the series, the Desert 400 in Bahrain, in two weeks time, missing the opening round in Abu Dhabi due to a prior contractual arrangement with Top Gear Live in New Zealand.
"When I signed for Top Gear Live no one envisaged starting the V8 Supercar season as early as we are - in the Middle East in the middle of February," Murphy said.
"Castrol and [team owner] Paul Morris were aware of the commitment from the very beginning, they have been tremendous and totally understanding.
"We'll fall a little behind in the points missing the first round, but it is a very long season and I will be back in the car for Bahrain - I'm confident we can make a good challenge from there on."
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