A year of inconsistency and reliability hurt Jason Richards, but a solid end to the year holds him in good stead to crack into the top ten in 2008.
Richards is a highly regarded steerer, but was one of many drivers to suffer from poor reliability and a lack of speed at several rounds. Despite this, several quality performances at the tail end of the season, including a podium at Surfers Paradise, are encouraging for both Richards and Tasman Motorsport.
The key to his 2008 campaign will be consistency, as there were several occasions – notably race one at Phillip Island, where he thew away a good finish by overdriving the car. It is certainly possible for him to finish inside the top ten next year.
Jason Richards 2007 report card: B-
Car #51 – VE Commodore – Greg Murphy (NZL)
Championship position: 13th (+11)
Best round result: 4th
Best race result: 4th
There is always a degree of difficulty settling into a new team, but Greg Murphy seemed to show little sign of this during his first year as a Tasman Motorsport driver.
Murphy, after doing it tough at Supercheap Auto Racing in 2006, displayed encouraging consistency at his new home – fourth at Bathurst the highlight of his year.
After suffering at Supercheap Auto Racing last year, Murphy finished thirteenth in his debut year with Tasman – showing promise for years to come – at what will probably be the New Zealander's home until retirement.
With several changes in the engineering department at the team next year Murphy will be looking to return to his former winning ways in 2008. It is imperative that Tasman can nail car setups at every round, to ensure Murphy races consistently inside the top ten.
Greg Murphy 2007 report card: B-
Stone Brothers Racing
Team's Championship: 5th (-1)
Car #4 – BF Falcon – James Courtney (NSW)
