He may have an Australian accent and lived on that side of the Tasman since he was a toddler, but 2015 Bathurst winner Steven Richards says he still a proud Kiwi.

Richards was the co-driver for Craig Lowndes in Sundays’ win in the Great Race in the Red Bull Racing Holden.

While there was disappointment for the New Zealand main game drivers, Scott McLaughlin, Fabian Coulthard, Shane Van Gisbergen and Andre Heimgartner, New Zealand motorsport fans can celebrate the success of Richards.

The son of one of New Zealand’s greatest ever motor racing drivers, Jim, who won Bathurst seven times and was Australian Touring Car champion on four occasions, Steven says he remains proud of his Kiwi roots.

“You never forget where you come from,” he said.

“New Zealand has an incredible motorsport heritage of motorsport drivers. From Formula One, to Can-Am sports cars, right up to now and we’ve managed to hold our little place in that heritage as well, which is nice for the Richards family name.”

While there aren’t any traces of a Kiwi accent when he speaks, because he left at such a young age as his father concentrated on his motor racing career in Australia, he says he does still have family ties in New Zealand.

“I’ve got a lot of cousins and aunties and uncles over in New Zealand,” he said.

“I don’t get back, I was three years old when I moved to Australia. I spent a season racing there in 2012 in the NZV8 Supertourers and I love going back there, but home is Australia and it’s where our family grew up and spent a lot of time living our life.”

This was Steven’s fourth Bathurst win, all coming as a co-driver. At the age of 43, it’s unlikely he’ll emulate his father’s success in motorsport, but he’s just happy to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I always said that if I could be half as successful as dad I’d be over the moon,” he said.

“I just feel that I’m pretty lucky to have won Bathurst four times myself. If I could grab another one some day that would be unbelievable.”

“Any time you can stand on the podium here at Bathurst is a huge achievement. I must admit that it hasn’t really registered with me that I’ve won it four times.”

“It’s been great though, to work with this team that’s been the best over the last 10 years had been great.”

“As a driver you always aim to work with the best to see how people operate, so that you can rise to that level and that’s been a fantastic experience.”

Bathurst winner ‘Richo’ proud of his Kiwi roots