Murph The Smurf ruled out to Host Top Gear !!!!!

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Top Gear rules Murphy out of V8 openerJanuary 11, 2010 - 3:29PM .
AAP

V8 Supercar driver Greg Murphy will miss the opening round of this year's season - and it's all popular British television show Top Gear's fault.

The New Zealander, who recently announced a move to Paul Morris Motorsport, will not race at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit because he has been forced to honour an agreement with the Top Gear Live show.

That means while the V8 season gets underway in the Middle East Murphy will be appearing at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds alongside hosts Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond from February 18 to 21.

Team owner Paul Morris will take over at the wheel of Murphy's Commodore for the season-opener.

"He's got commitments elsewhere, so we've just planned around that and I'll drive the car," Morris told motorsport website SpeedCafe on Monday.

"I'd rather Murph drive the thing, to tell you the truth, but at least it gives me the opportunity to look at the track and blow some cobwebs out.

"I think I'll go fine. The last race I did, I came seventh (Bathurst 1000 with Tim Slade) and the last sprint race I did I finished in the top 10 (Oran Park 2008). I don't think I've lost any of my speed. I'm looking forward to having a drive."

Morris also said the four-time Bathurst champion's absence from the field in Abu Dhabi wouldn't damage his team's new sponsorship deal with Castrol.

"Castrol has been well aware of the situation - we're not into taking people on mystery tours," he said.

"When Murph's name was mentioned as a candidate for the job, they were told that there was a good chance that he wouldn't be at the first round.

"They were happy with that. They know about it. It's no surprise to them."

Murphy will now make his debut for Paul Morris Motorsport in the season's second round at Bahrain from February 25 to 27.

© 2010 AAP