Kiwi motorsport star to be honoured with V8 Supercars trophy

4 April 2013

Kiwi motorsport star to be honoured with V8 Supercars trophy

New Zealand motorsport star, the late Jason Richards, will be honoured with the official trophy for the ITM 400 Auckland V8 Supercars event to bear his name.

The Jason Richards Memorial Trophy will be up for grabs at the ITM 400 Auckland, the sole New Zealand event of the V8 Supercars Championship on 12-14 April at the revamped Pukekohe Park Raceway.

Organisers have received the support for the trophy from the family of Richards, the Nelson-born V8 Supercars driver, who passed away from cancer 16 months ago.
V8 Supercars have commissioned a one-off trophy from renowned artist Frank Watson of Ardmore, Auckland who specialises in creating intricate and unique sculptures using glass, bronze and/or silver.

Richards’ wife Charlotte and children Sienna and Olivia will attend with family for the official blessing and to present the trophy to the recipient.

“While Jason raced mostly in Australia, there was no more proud New Zealander,” Charlotte said.

“There was nothing he wanted more than to succeed in the V8 Supercars at home and I know he would be thrilled to see the event return to Pukekohe. To have the trophy named in his honour and to have it presented for the first time in the 50th anniversary of his favourite New Zealand race track is special.

“We miss Jason every day. No-one worked harder to succeed but Jason did this with a smile on his face always. I hope this trophy not only recognises what he achieved in the sport and how he went about it but also inspires other young Kiwis that with big dreams and hard work, you can achieve anything.”

The trophy is a two-side glass sculpture with black onyx centrepiece and stainless steel archers depicting the fern, set into a native timber base.

“We believe this an appropriate way for us to recognise Jason’s contribution to our sport and our Championship. He was a fierce competitor but at the same time was a true gentleman and a fan favourite,” said V8 Supercars CEO, David Malone.

After a successful apprenticeship in New Zealand, Richards was signed to the V8 Supercar Championship for 11 years from 2001, driving for Team Kiwi Racing, Team Dynamik, Tasman Motorsport and finally Brad Jones Racing. He won once in the V8 Supercar Championship and was a three-time podium finisher at the Bathurst 1000.

The trophy, to be held in perpetuity, will be awarded to the driver with the best combined results over the four V8 Supercars Championship races at the ITM 400 Auckland.

Tickets are on sale for the ITM 400 V8 Supercars at Pukekohe Park Raceway on 12-14 April. Tickets for the event are on sale from Ticketek or as little as NZ$30, with three-day general admission for NZ$110 and three-day grandstands from NZ$145. Kids 12 years and under are free for general admission with a ticket bearing adult.

Details: www.v8supercars.co.nz

ENDS

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