Two-time Bathurst winner Steve Richards will re-kindle one of the most iconic relationships in NZ motorsport history when he teams up with tool brand Sidchrome for the coming V8 SuperTourer (V8ST) International 500 at Pukekohe 27-28 October.

Paired with young Whangarei ace Scott Harrison for the second round of the endurance race series they are part of a historic reunion that dates back to the 1970’s. Driving the #70 JMR Ford Falcon V8 SuperTourer in Sidchrome and Dewalt livery, its number has special significance.

“Previously numbered #556 and sponsored by CRC the new branding and number 70 on the side are highly significant to Sidchrome and the Richards motor racing dynasty,” explains team principal and overall V8ST series leader John McIntyre.

“Steve’s father, seven-time Bathurst winner ‘Gentleman Jim’ Richards was sponsored in the late 60s and early 70s in both the Sidchrome Imp and the much more famous Sidchrome Mustang. The Sidchrome Mustang is the racing car that Jim took to Australia when he and his family moved there to begin his illustrious sport sedan and then touring car career.

“Everyone at JMR is hugely proud to be part of Sidchrome’s 70th year celebrations and its push back into the New Zealand marketplace. Most hard core racing fans at Pukekohe will have seen or heard stories of the Sidchrome Mustang from the 70s and right now in the 21st century we get to promote Sidchrome and Dewalt with our FG Falcon V8 SuperTourer. Jim will be at the track over the weekend as an ambassador for the team, so there is a good chance he will probably sign more posters than Steve and Scott!”

As well as the new look for the car and the new line-up, both lead driver and team are confident that after testing at the venue recently, the car will take a step forward up the grid.
“We’ve definitely made some significant improvements on set-up on the car in recent weeks and we are confident of a strong performance at Pukekohe,” added Richards. “We’re due a good result and there’s a good feeling about this one.”

Harrison, 23, has spent time behind the wheel of the Sidchrome/Dewalt Falcon during a recent test at Pukekohe and is fresh from driving duties at the enduro season opener at Taupo in early September.
A former Porsche GT3 Cup campaigner, Harrison was quickly up to speed in the freshly branded car, taking the reins from previous co-pilot Will Bamber.

“First and foremost I’d like to thank Will Bamber for the superb job he did at Taupo,” continued McIntyre. “We are fortunate that we have such a wealth of driving talent in NZ right now and when Will was unable to drive at Pukekohe I contacted Scott to see if he was. The rest is history and Scott has already had laps in the car at Pukekohe last week. He was straight onto the pace and did an excellent job; he and Steve will make a great combination.”

The team arrive at Pukekohe on the Friday 26 October to partake in practise before a street parade in the evening that features the car. Following the Saturday morning qualifying Richard and Harrison will compete in the opening 53 lap race against 19 other cars. That evening the circuit is taken over by iconic Kiwi acts The Feelers and the Jordan Luck band as part of a race by day party by night concert.
Sunday morning is taken up with a second 53 lap race with a 70 lap race in the afternoon to decide the weekend winner.

The endurance series wraps up at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch on 24 and 25 November.

More details about McIntyre and his team can be found on www.jmr.co.nz, or follow John McIntyre Racing on Facebook or ‘JohnMcIntyreRac’ on Twitter.