Penrite Racing will pay tribute to the legendary Jim Richards with a pair of JPS Team BMW liveries at this weekend’s Penrite Oil Sandown 500.
The Erebus Motorsport ZB Commodores of David Reynolds/Luke Youlden and Anton De Pasquale/Will Brown will wear matching black and gold paintjobs which evoke memories of the BMWs that Richards drove from 1982 to 1987.
During that time, Richards won the Australian Touring Car Championship twice (1985, 1987), the Australian Endurance Championship twice (1985, 1986), and Amaro Park’s AMSCAR Series once (1985).
“For me they were great days and I’m quite excited that the team are running the livery,” said ‘Gentleman Jim’.
“There are many good memories for me, especially the ’87 M3; we weren’t expected to win because our car was underpowered compared to our opposition, but when the tracks were tight the car shone.”
Richards was the first in the world to race an example of that M3, in the opening ATCC round at Calder Park, and won four rounds out of nine on his way to the title that year.
“We went down to the very last meeting to see who would win the championship, so I have very special memories of that car in particular,” he added.
Reynolds, who combined with co-driver Youlden for Armor All Pole Position at last year’s Sandown 500, is excited at the new look for his car for retro round.
“It’s really cool to run this livery, especially when you look back at those six years and the success Jim had over that time,” said Reynolds.
“I’ve always said I should have been born in the retro era; everything was so cool then, so I love this round for that reason.
“I love looking back at the cars from then and hearing all the stories; hopefully wearing Jim’s colours will be a good omen for us this weekend.”
Penrite Oil’s General Manager Sales & Marketing, Toby Dymond, added, “We’re rapt to be utilising the JPS livery for the Penrite Oil Sandown 500.
“This racetrack holds a special place in our family’s history, and these livery designs are a testament to the golden era of motor racing.
“The black and gold designs are not only symbolic of our corporate colours, but are fondly remembered by fans around the world; it only made sense to bring them back, especially with Penrite Oil taking up naming rights of the historic round.”
Erebus heads to Sandown off the back of a double top 10, including a podium for Reynolds/Youlden, in Race 27 on the Gold Coast.
This weekend’s opening practice session, for co-drivers only, starts at 1035 local time/AEDT.
VIDEO: Erebus Motorsport’s Jim Richards tribute
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