Jim Richards has been honoured by the Earl of March with an invitation to compete at the world renowned Goodwood Revival.
The seven-times Bathurst 1000 winner leaves for England tomorrow to compete in the 2010 St Mary’s Trophy, paying homage to pre-1960s saloon cars.
Some of the cars in the St Mary’s Trophy will be Austin A35s, Jaguar Mk VIIs and Morris Minors.
Richards will be joined by other touring car stars including Rauno Aaltonen, John Fitzpatrick, Andy Rouse, Derek Bell, Jackie Oliver, Anthony Reid and Brian Redman.
Richards is not the first Australian to race at the Goodwood Revival. In 2006, the late Peter Brock entered, just a week before he was killed in a rally accident in Western Australia.
Richards said that he jumped at the invitation from the Lord March to compete.
“I got a letter from Lord March, and I’ve responded saying I’d love to do it, of course!” he told Speedcafe.com.au.
“I’m driving a 1956 Morris Minor. I’ve never raced one, but I used to own one in the early 60s! I can’t wait.
“I’m also playing in the annual cricket match. So I’m playing cricket on Thursday, drivers briefing on Thursday night and racing after that.”
The St Mary’s Trophy is a two-part race, with celebrity drivers taking the wheel on Saturday, followed by the owner-drivers on Sunday, and the result declared on aggregate.
The Goodwood Revival is a step back in time, with cars and motorcycles making up each starting grid at the Goodwood Revival carefully selected from the most authentic historic racers. Competitors and patrons at the Goodwood facility are required to wear period clothing to attend.
Each year, around 360 cars and motorcycles compete in 16 different races. Entry is by invitation only from the Earl of March.
For more with Jim Richards, CLICK HERE for today’s Café Chat …
