Motorsport: Richards hopes for happier V8 ending

Jason Richards

Jason Richards hopes the closing stages of the 500km V8 Supercar race at Sandown in Melbourne tomorrow are a rerun of the 2003 race - but with a different ending.

Three years ago, driving a Team Dynamik Holden, the Kiwi was challenging Mark Skaife of the Holden Racing team for victory. He tried to take the lead, the cars clashed, Richards ended in the kitty litter and Skaife won. "It would be lovely to be in the same position again but not to have it ending in the same way," said the 30-year-old from Melbourne.

"I don't regret the move I made up the inside. If I had the opportunity again I would take it. But it does haunt me because I did have the faster car and there was only a lap and a bit to go.

"Despite the result, that race was really a turning point in my career."

Team Dynamik and Richards parted company unhappily soon afterwards and he joined Team Tasman, where he has enjoyed increasing success.

Last season he was third at Sandown with teammate Jamie Whincup and then in the Bathurst 1000, Australia's premier V8 race, the pair were runners-up to Skaife and Todd Kelly. "This season we've had more car speed. We've made a lot more shootouts and I've had a win and a second. So we're going into the endurance races in good shape.

This weekend Richards will be paired with Andrew Jones, who is in his first season with the team and has been steady rather than spectacular.

"Andrew's problem this year has been qualifying and that won't matter this weekend. I would expect him to start the race and me to do the double-stint to be there at the finish."

Ford has won the past two Sandown 500s, with current championship leader Craig Lowndes and European visitor Yvan Muller successful last year. This time Lowndes will share the drive with Whincup.

Holden has paired Skaife, who was second last year at Sandown and won at Bathurst, with Garth Tander. Todd and Rick Kelly will share the other Holden Racing Team car.

Paul Radisich and Fabian Coulthard will share the Team Kiwi Holden, while Greg Murphy will team with Cameron McConville, Jim Richards with Ryan Briscoe, Steven Richards with Paul Dumbrell, Matt Halliday with Cameron McLean, Craig Baird with Jason Bargwanna, Mark Porter with Dale Brede and Kayne Scott with Alan Gurr. The race begins at 3pm (NZT).

* Two top New Zealand V8 Supercar drivers could soon share a Holden in the Australian endurance before long.

Jason Richards has just signed a long-term contract with Team Tasman, part-owned by Greg Murphy's father, Kevin. Greg Murphy has had a difficult relationship with Super Cheap Auto Racing.