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Jim Richards will pilot the iconic JPS BMW which he drove to the 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship crown at the 2017 Silverstone Classic.
Richards and the black BMW 635 CSi will be making their first appearances at the event, with the car having never been raced outside of Australia or New Zealand before.
‘Gentleman Jim’ won seven rounds in the first year of Group A rules in the 1985 ATCC, combining with Frank Gardner Racing to take the title.
However, his hopes of winning that year’s Bathurst 1000, which the Kiwi led at the time, came to a bizarre end when both he and George Fury in the sister BMW ran off on oil and became buried together at Hell Corner.
New Zealand collector Peter Sturgeon, who still owns the famous BMW, took possession of the car in the Group A specification in which it ended its racing days.
However, he has since converted it back to its original Group C specification, in conjunction with former Gardner employee Pip Baker.
“Pip adopted the project and it took him almost 18 months to complete. It was worth all the effort, though, as the final result is utterly amazing,” said Sturgeon.
“The sound of the straight six, twin-cam engine revving at more than 8000rpm is something all petrol heads should hear.
“In Group C form, this is the one and only 24-valve engined BMW 635 ever raced and to have Jim back driving it is very, very special.”
Richards, too, will be taking part in the Silverstone Classic for the first time, and is thrilled to be driving the BMW in its original specification.
“It’s a beautiful car,” said RIchards.
“I’m so glad we persuaded Peter to put it back in what we called Group C specification, as those rules were a bit more liberal than Group A, more widely used at the time.
“It now looks absolutely stunning with its big arches and a 24-valve motor which revs to around 8,400rpm and sounds glorious even with a muffler.
“I’ve been invited to Goodwood a couple of times but have never been to the Silverstone Classic before. I’m told it’s another of the great events, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Richards will take part in two races, featuring a combined grid of 1990s Super Tourers, Group 1, Group A, and Group C touring cars, putting the BMW up against several Ford Sierra RS500s.
The Silverstone Classic will be held from July 28-30.
VIDEO: Richards and Fury beached together at Bathurst
