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Back to December 2011 Motorsports News Archive
| 20-12-2011 at 10:00: Jason Richards’ Star to Always Shine with the Masters | |
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Richards brought his incredible talent, amazing smile and inspiring story, going on to make his mark at The Mountain, setting the lap record for the historic series in his first weekend, meaning Richards and his efforts will always remain in hearts and history after a weekend that will never be forgotten.
With Richards a more than welcome addition to the most challenging field ever seen by the muscle car category, he took the opportunity to take on The Mountain once more. This time, Richards was with the cars that began the story of Bathurst, and with a special battle ahead as he took on great friend, supporter and neighbour, John Bowe.
A regular name to take on the Mount Panorama assault, Richards knew the track well, always striving for his best, and he would certainly achieve this in Tony Hunter’s classic 1971 Holden HQ Monaro that he’d never driven, in a category he’d not yet experienced, but to Richards, it was music to his ears.
“It was tough to know I’d be watching the V8s this year rather than being in the car, but this opportunity to race with TCM will certainly ease the pain.
“As I think people have realised, I’m not too good at standing around, I like to keep busy and I love to race so to know I’ll be racing against all the legends of the sport is amazing – it’s going to be great going head to head.
“I’m not familiar with the HQ but I am with the track, so it will be somewhat of an unknown. My main motivation is for the enjoyment of the experience, but I think we’ll be competitive after Tony’s (Hunter) made a big effort to make sure that we are.
“I haven’t won at Bathurst with the V8s, we’ve been close so many times, so to win with TCM would be the ultimate this time out but I’m just so happy to be there and be participating.
“The older cars will make for a nice change, and I’ve been speaking with JB (John Bowe) who tells me these are very different, being unstable on the straight, meaning it’s going to be an exciting drive.”
Bowe who has raced for many years to his own successes had watched the career of Richards develop and the story of his illness unfold. A neighbour, great friend of Richards and one of the instigators of this outstanding experience, Bowe had explained,
“Jason is one of the most outstanding drivers I’ve ever raced against in my 35 years on the track. It’s such a thrill to see him drive a car.
“Jason is surely the bravest man I have ever met and we’ll be honoured to have him with us at a place as iconic as Bathurst.”
The Richards’ made a family journey to Bathurst this year, sharing special moments on the road in a Sunliner provided motor home, arriving at Mount Panorama ready to share more Bathurst memories. Richards would be armed with a refurbished HQ, taken to ‘Jason spec’, ready to see the inspiring man and racer show just why he will remain so greatly admired.
Opening the on track action, Richards was straight into the zone, immediately setting the #10 Monaro in the top two for practice, going on to qualify third for the opening race of the Masters weekend, having completed merely eight laps in his latest historic weapon, more than earning a greater respect from fellow racers and fans alike.
As the lights went green on the opening race, Richards found himself in eighth off the line as the muscle cars roared into action, going on to challenge the best in the business on one of the world’s iconic circuits, finishing fifth in the first seven lap attack.
The reverse grid race two has been touted as the most epic race in the series’ five year history and given Richards mountain memories, how fitting he would be a part of it. With action across the field from the first seconds of the eight lap race, there were battles, spins, breakages and one man making his mark on the field. Richards took on the mountain with evident passion, charging on against Seton, Tilley, Abelnica and Bowe as they hunted Jim Richards, at one point, three wide through turn one, his skill keeping the #10 Monaro clean to come home in third.
Sunday’s final race would wrap up Richards’ weekend with the Masters and as always, it wasn’t his smile alone that would make it memorable, a lap record of 2:22.6622 on lap four ensuring Richards will remain in the Touring Car Masters history books. Pushing the Monaro to the limits, Richards continued to look settled as he battled to the end alongside mentors and friends, Seton and Bowe, rounding up his Masters weekend with a second, meaning that if having been eligible for points, he would have placed 3rd outright for the Bathurst round – a true display of talent and commitment.
What an inspiring man, what an inspiring story, and what an inspiring weekend. In his first and only outing with the Touring Car Masters family, Richards had left another unforgettable mark on the racing history books and on the hearts of his fellow racers, friends and fans. www.youtube.com/touringcarmastersaus
Images: Family – Rob Lang. |
When the offer was made for Australian motor sport icon and inspiration, Jason Richards, to join the Touring Car Masters at the hallowed circuit of Mount Panorama this year, it opened the door to a memorable family experience, for the Richards family and the Touring Car Masters family.
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