Nick set to get tyred on island | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

Wanganui tyre specialist Nick Hemingway has a wrist that needs surgery, but he's willing to put up with the pain for a few weeks longer.

No way is he going to miss another dream job on the V8 motor-racing circuit.

After putting his tyre-fitting skills to work at the Bathurst 1000 last October, Nick rejoins the action next month, but this time he's heading to the Phillip Island circuit, about 100kms outside Melbourne, where he will be part of the Dunlop crew.

The Phillip Island event on September 11-12 is the traditional buildup race to Bathurst.

At Phillip Island, he hopes to catch up with his idol Garth Tander again.

Tander and co-pilot Will Davidson won Bathurst last year and then signed Nick's race programme.

The souvenir is covered in plastic and kept in a safe place.

Nick will be disappointed if Kiwi driver Greg Murphy doesn't line up.

Murphy has a bad back and indicated earlier this week that he was an unlikely starter at Phillip Island.

"I had a boat ride with Murph up the Whanganui River about six weeks ago and he was looking forward to meeting up with me at Phillip Island.

"Doesn't look as though it's going to happen."

Nick has no trouble getting time off work from Goodyear. Manager Blair Struthers was on the tyre team at Bathurst for a few years and recommended Nick take his place last year.