MotorSport NZ is pleased to announce that the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy will be awarded to a NZV8s competitor at next weekend’s MSNZ Race Championship event at Taupo, 8-10 March.
The trophy was established last year to commemorate the life and achievements of Kiwi Jason Richards, who lost his battle with cancer in late 2011, aged 35. Amongst Jason’s achievements was winning the Steel Trophy in 1995 and he also claimed three New Zealand Touring Car Championships from 1999 to 2001.
It was awarded for the first time last season at the Hamilton 400, to former Australian Supercar driver, Jason Bargwanna, who was the overall round winner of the NZV8s category that weekend.
The Sport has decided that this season it will be awarded to the winner of Race 3 at Taupo, which is the penultimate round for the NZV8s Championship. With the TLX (new generation) category starting off the back of the grid and also having to complete a compulsory pit stop, there is a real possibility that the race could be won by a TL (current generation) car as proven by Andrew Anderson who won race three at Manfeild last month, with Kevin Williams second.
“Jason Richards was such a fantastic representative for our sport, both in NZ and also when he achieved his great success in Australia” said Shayne Harris, MotorSport NZ President.
“We hope that Jason’s achievements inspire our young racers and the trophy continues to remind everyone of the fantastic ambassador we lost too soon.”
