It’s either tomorrow or next year for Greg Murphy and Richie Stanaway.
No ifs. No buts.
The Bathurst 1000 wildcard duo will learn tomorrow if they have a guaranteed Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) spot to return home to after December’s race.
If no spot is available, neither seem overly eager to take the risk of getting trapped in Australia and will ultimately decide not to compete in this year’s race.
A decision must be made by the end of the week as both will have to be in Sydney soon for seat fittings and practice sessions.
“We have played by the same rules as every other person trying to get a spot in MIQ and now can only hope something comes through from the government,” Murphy said.
“We know it is a hugely challenging time for so many, but naturally the thought that this opportunity may not eventuate is still very disappointing.”
Both Murphy and Stanaway can get into Australia quarantine-free.
As long as travellers are vaccinated, anyone from New Zealand can cross the ditch.
However, it is the unsustainable MIQ rules concerning coming home that is the primary hurdle.
It is a frustration several Kiwi athletes have come to experience the past few months.
“These are professionals who need to be able to leave New Zealand to ply their trade,” Boost Mobile Founder Peter Adderton said.
“We have been working around the clock for a while now to try and get both guys into the NZ MIQ system without any success.”
If this year’s wildcard does not go ahead, next year’s Bathurst 1000 is still on the cards as Supercars will still be using the same generation of car.
“It will be disappointing if [this year] doesn’t happen,” Murphy said at a recent South Island Endurance Series race.
“I’m hopeful if we can’t make it then we can commit to 2022 and we will work hard to be even better prepared for that one.”