Motorsport: V8 drivers launch website for Richards

The V8s will make their presence felt in Hamilton this weekend. Photo / Alan Gibson

V8 Supercar drivers have put their competitiveness aside to start a fundraising website for cancer-stricken colleague Jason Richards.

The Holden driver was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer after a tumour was discovered in his abdomen in November last year.

To aid him in his battle, Richards's fellow New Zealand driver Greg Murphy, along with Holden's Garth Tander and Ford's Paul Dumbrell, have launched the bid4jase website where items are available for auction with all funds raised going to Richards.

"We might all be pretty fierce competitors on the track but in cases like this where we've got one of our own, Jason Richards, who is battling through cancer, we're all coming together to assist him in his time of need," Murphy told reporters before the start of this weekend's Hamilton 400 event.

"It's something we feel is a real opportunity to get behind him and support him."

Richards competed in the minor category Fujitsu series in Adelaide and the non-championship V8 races at the Melbourne grand prix last month, winning the second race of the Fujitsu series in Adelaide.

Murphy said the 34-year-old had been given a major boost by the special appearances but that he'll miss this weekend's event in his homeland as he's about to head to the United States to begin a new treatment program.

"It's been a very difficult time for him over the past few weeks," Murphy said.

"He managed to get behind the wheel of a race car at Adelaide and AGP which has been huge for his treatment, making him feel very positive and obviously it's a massive thing for him to still be able to get behind the wheel if he can."

Those wishing to bid for an item and help raise funds for Richards need to log on to www.bid4jase.com.

- AAP