Murphysmen at 3 Hours of Red Bull Ring, 1st Day‏

Murphy Prototypes ELMS Round 3 Car 48 Test Practice 1                           3rd; Time: 1:26.031; 181.0 kph Test Practice 2 4th; Time: 1.25.229; 182.7ph

Friday 19th July 2013:  The Murphy Prototypes sportscar team are competing in the third round of the FIA European Le Mans Series campaign this weekend with at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The team will compete with the Murphy Prototypes LMP2 Nissan-Oreca prototype, with regular driver, Brendon Hartley, and new driver for the race, Jonathan Hirschi.The European Le Mans series has already provided some thrills and spills in the first two races at Silverstone and Imola.  After the first two rounds, and, of course, a hectic Le Mans 24 Hours, the Murphy Prototypes team are ready for the second half of the season.Team principal, Greg Murphy (IRL): The team is really looking forward to the second half of the season. After a tricky start to the Le Man 24 hours, we showed some real pace during the rest of the race.  We want to be successful here in Murphy Prototypes. We have put all the pieces together with the people, the car and the engine that we have. My expectations for this week end with Jonathan and Brendan are that we have a real chance of winning. We are happy with the way free practice went. The two drivers did a great job. Their times were very close. We have some small problems that we found, which to be honest, we are happy to find as it means the car will be a lot quicker for qualifying'.Driver,Brendon Hartley(NZ): We were extremely happy to cross the line in 6th place at Le Mans. Finishing Le Mans is a big achievement in itself. After being so many laps down in the beginning and then fighting our way into contention everyone here at Murphy Prototypes was really happy, and I think we can all be quite proud of that.We are now looking to this weekend's race at Red Bull Ring in Austria. Jonathan Hirschi is joining us; hes a top driver, and we are hoping that we are hoping that we have a chance to win the race.

 Practice today was really about getting more familiar with the track and to shakedown the car. It went well for both of us; we found a few problems after the session, a few little set up issues with the mapping on the gearbox, but these will all be sorted for tomorrow, so I think we are in pretty good shape. Its going to be a big fight up the front, as there is a really strong line-up at this event. At least six teams are capable of winning, but we have high hopes'Driver Jonathan Hirschi (CH): I am really happy to have the opportunity to drive with the Murphy Prototypes team.  They have been a little bit unlucky this year. However, I think we can do a good job; my team mate, Brendon, is really fastin fact, I think he is one of the best drivers in the ELMS so we will see. For this weekend, I think we can have a really good result.  I think it is not going to be easy. Today was the first time driving the car:its good to drive. I have driven Oreca before in the ELMSat Silverstone, and this particular car is quick. We need to work more as the level is high here at ELMS, but we can do a good job. If Brendon and I do a good job, we can win'.


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