Jim Richards (racing Driver) - Career

Career

Richards first made his mark in Australia at the 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 with a masterful display of wet weather driving during the race, recording faster lap times than any of his opposition in the latter part of the event while driving a Torana L34 which finished in third place.

In mid-1975 Richards moved to Australia and was quickly competitive in sports sedan races driving his Sidchrome-sponsored Mustang. He was co-driver for John Goss in 1976 at Bathurst. Then in 1978 Richards began a successful stint at the Holden Dealer Team as Peter Brock's co-driver at Bathurst, netting Richards three Bathurst 1000 titles in a row.

Jim Richards was Australian Touring Car Champion in 1985 and 1987, driving elegant black and gold JPS-sponsored BMWs, a 635CSi and an M3 respectively; in 1990 driving both Nissan Skyline R31 GTS-R and Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R and again in 1991 driving the 4WD Skyline GT-R, affectionately known as "Godzilla".

His other Australian title wins were:

  • 1985 Australian Endurance Championship in a BMW 635CSi
  • 1985 AMSCAR Series in a BMW 635CSi
  • 1986 Australian Endurance Championship in a BMW 635CSi
  • 1992 AMSCAR Series in a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
  • 1995 Australian GT Production Car Series in a Porsche 993 RSCS
  • 1996 Australian NASCAR Championship
  • 1999 Australian GT Production Car Championship in a Porsche 996 GT3
  • 2000 Australian Nations Cup Championship in a Porsche 996 GT3
  • 2001 Australian Nations Cup Championship in a Porsche 996 GT3
  • 2002 Australian Nations Cup Championship in a Porsche 996 GT3
  • 2003 Australian Carrera Cup Championship in a Porsche 996 GT3 Cup

His Bathurst wins have been:

  • 1978 - Peter Brock / Jim Richards (Holden Torana LX A9X)
  • 1979 - Peter Brock / Jim Richards (Holden Torana LX A9X)
  • 1980 - Peter Brock / Jim Richards (Holden Commodore VC)
  • 1991 - Mark Skaife / Jim Richards (Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R)
  • 1992 - Mark Skaife / Jim Richards (Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R)
  • 1998 - Rickard Rydell / Jim Richards (Volvo S40)
  • 2002 - Mark Skaife / Jim Richards (Holden VX Commodore)

He has also won the Sandown 500 twice.

Recently, Richards has driven in the Targa Tasmania as well as numerous other tarmac rallies in the Australian Targa Championship and other tarmac rallies, driving for Porsche. Partnering Richards as navigator has been motor racing journalist and commentator Barry Oliver. The pairing of Richards and Oliver (affectionately known as Team Grandpa in later years) has won the Targa Tasmania a record 8 times . His final victory saw him become only the fourth winner of the event in a two wheel drive car, and is the last person to do so, holding off more fancied four wheel drive rivals over a wet day 5 to win his last Targa Tasmania title.

Targa Tasmania wins:

  • 1996 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 993 Turbo)
  • 1997 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 993 Turbo)
  • 1998 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 993 Turbo)
  • 2000 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 996 Turbo)
  • 2001 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 996 Turbo)
  • 2002 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 996 Turbo)
  • 2003 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 996 Turbo)
  • 2006 - Jim Richards / Barry Oliver (Porsche 997 GT3)

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