Supercars introduce ‘Jim Richards Award’
The Repco Supercars Championship already has awards named in honour of past champions and legends of Australian Touring Car racing, like the Peter Brock Trophy for the winner of the Bathurst 1000. This year, a new award will be introduced – the Jim Richards Award
Equivalent to the Brownlow Medal for the best and fairest player in the AFL, the new award is named in honour of seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner “Gentleman Jim” Richards; one of the most successful drivers on-track and one of the most respected off it.
Votes to determine the winner will be cast by a panel made up of Supercars and Motorsport Australia personnel, based on a driver’s on-track performance, professionalism and respectability in the field of play. This differs from the existing Barry Sheene Medal, which focusses on character and off-track contributions to the sport and is voted on by Supercars media personnel.
Votes will be cast - in three, two, and one points - following each race, then tallied at season’s end to determine the winning driver.
Richards, whose professional career started in his native New Zealand before he came to Australia in the 1970s, raced and won in Sports Sedan, GT, Carrera Cup and endurance competition. However, he’s best known for his performances in the Australian Touring Car Championship (four titles) and at the annual Bathurst 1000 (seven wins). In addition, Richards has won the Targa Tasmania tarmac rally on eight occasions.
“It’s an incredible honour to have my name associated with what is a very special award in the world of Supercars,” Richards said.
“I’m genuinely touched, and knowing the quality of drivers that compete in Supercars, the winner and future winners of the Jim Richards Award will be truly deserving of it. I am sure I will feel fortunate to be associated with them!
“Motorsport has been my life, and to see this award recognise drivers who show the same dedication to it is truly special.”
Supercars General Manager of Motorsport Tim Edwards highlighted the significance of the award as a celebration of a driver’s ability and behaviour behind the wheel.
“The Jim Richards Award honours a driver who embodies the similar skills, racecraft, and adeptness that Jim Richards is well revered for.
“It’s important for us to recognise not only our drivers’ abilities but the spirit in which they compete. The ‘best and fairest’ approach celebrates the drivers who perform at the highest level, both in terms of outright performance and sportsmanship, qualities that Jim has always been known for.”
