Greg Murphy hopes his return can help put the New Zealand Grand Prix back on a pedestal where he believes it belongs.
Greg Murphy Photo: Photosport
The four-time Bathurst winner has confirmed he'll get back behind the wheel for the race at Hampton Downs south of Auckland next month.
It's a return which would come 27 years after a then 21-year-old Murphy won the event himself.
Motivated to be involved so he could join the legendary Kenny Smith in his 50th NZ Grand Prix, Murphy said the magnitude of the event was shown by how vivid his own memories remain of that day back in 1994.
"Incredibly emotional and the significance of that achievement was not lost on me.
"It was something that gave me a sell point to me being a racecar driver. It is a really significant and important milestone, and it is for any young driver that gets that chance."
Murphy, of course, went on to forge a successful career in Supercars, including those four victories at "The Great Race".
He isn't the only former NZ Grand Prix winner with other big accolades to their name.
Among the names etched on the silverware are legendary New Zealand drivers Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon, and international stars like Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart.
Bruce McLaren Photo: Supplied
Current Formula One drivers Lando Norris and Lance Stroll are also former champions.
Murphy said that list of past winners was further proof of exactly how highly the race should be regarded.
"It's an incredible list of names that in our world have done the highest level of motorsport and achieved the greatest accolades that there is across the board.
"That needs to be given its true recognition."
Having the likes of Murphy involved should help that.
Assisting further is the appearance of countryman and defending Bathurst 1000 champion Shane van Gisbergen, while sports car racer Chris van der Drift have also committed to taking part.
Although the level of competition wouldn't be so foreign to that pair, Murphy almost couldn't remember the last time he raced in an event this serious.
He said the small amount of racing he had done in recent times had largely been for fun.
"I need to probably change that up a little bit in the next four weeks and start doing a bit more training.
"It probably wasn't part of my plan, and I won't be able to have as many slices of my wife's pavlova at Christmas time that I would have probably done."
