The coveted Jason Richards Memorial Trophy will be awarded in 2024 to the winning team of the trans-Tasman V8 TA2 Muscle Car Challenge – starting this weekend at Christchurch’s Euromarque Motorsport Park.
Eight cars and teams are being freighted from Australia to spar with eight Kiwi teams in the first ever trans-Tasman challenge for this new car category.
Their first unveiling at Christchurch’s Ruapuna circuit brings V8 racing back to the city and is part of the Super Sprint Motorsport New Zealand Championship series that is touring the country.
The mighty V8s are joined by five other race categories that will be competing at Ruapuna’s 3.33km circuit.
Contested across two rounds in two weekends points from each of the TA2 Muscle Car races will be totalled, with the winner declared after the following weekend’s second round.
The concluding event will be held at Cromwell’s Highlands Motorsport Park – in support of the 68th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix.
Richards took part in last true trans-Tasman challenge back in 2006, sharing a V8 Ute with Gary Baxter in the inaugural V8 Utes International at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon.
“We feel it’s quite fitting to recognise the true spirit of Jason’s motorsport career in both
Australia and New Zealand by allowing this prestigious trophy to be awarded to the
Australian or New Zealand team with the most points over the two round series,” said co-ordinator Gary Lathrope.
“The winning team will get to hold the trophy for 12 months in recognition of their efforts.”
Richards, a multiple championship winning and successful V8 Supercar race driver succumbed to adrenocortical carcinoma in 2011 aged 35.
The trophy was supplied by Richards family and is one of three that are contested, including V8 Supercars and karting. It was first awarded in 2012.
Team Australia
Nathan Herne, Dodge Challenger
Mark Crutcher, Ford Mustang
Graham Cheney, Chev Camaro
Paul Hadley, Chev Camaro
Anthony Tenkate, Ford Mustang
Greg Keam, Ford Mustang
Brad Gartner, Ford Mustang
Michael Coulter – Steve Coulter, Ford Mustang
Team New Zealand
Peter Ward, Chev Camaro
Andrew Turner, Ford Mustang
Brett Rudd – Paul Manual, Chev Camaro
Steve Ross, Chev Camaro
Ben Stewart, Chev Camaro
Aimee Roberts – Bree Roberts, Chev Camaro
Maurice Shapley, Dodge Challenger
Brent Collins, Dodge Challenger
Comments