A Legend Honoured Amongst Stars of the Future


press release 23 May 2013
 

As the second half of the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour season approaches, one of the significant events on the calendar falls upon round five of the series at Geelong, being the 2013 Jason Richards Memorial to honour former V8 Supercar driver and New Zealand born Jason Richards.

The concept was introduced in 2012, with the inaugural event taking place at Albury, where special events were held to remember the life of Richards, who tragically passed away in December 2011 after a public battle with cancer.


Above: The Jason Richards Memorial was introduced at Rotax Pro Tour Albury in 2012
pic - IKD

Round 5 of the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour will take place at Beckley Park International Raceway, Geelong, Victoria from May 24-26.

As part of the Jason Richards Memorial, two awards are given to drivers for two different criteria, the first being the Jason Richards Memorial awarded to a driver from any category who, ‘displays exceptional sportsmanship, win, lose or draw. Someone who has the hard charging attitude and always drives it like it is stolen. Someone who has the ability to win never gives up and is fiercely determined. Someone who most importantly, is always smiling…to quote JR himself “it’s not about the man in the fight…it’s about the FIGHT in the man”’.

Last year it was awarded to Victorian Troy Woolston, a driver of whom many of today’s young stars look up to and admire, not only for his success on track, but for his admired passion off track to succeed in every facet of his racing.


Above: All competitors were assembled at Albury last year for a group photo incorporating the New Zealand based drivers in recognition of Jason’s birthplace
pic - IKD

The second award is the Jason Richards Cup, awarded to the round winner in DD2, a category Jason himself raced in throughout the 2010 Rotax Pro Tour as an opportunity to maintain his fitness performance levels, and to keep his eye in in between V8 Supercar events. Queensland’s Kyle Ensbey took home victory in Albury last year; however there will be a new winner with Ensbey not taking part this season.

Fellow former V8 Supercar driver Shane Price, who drove under the guidance of Richards and also replaced him at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in 2011 when Jason’s sickness was at its height returns to the Kart seat this weekend, and for Price, competing in this event will hold extra emotions due to his close relationship with Jason throughout his racing.

In excess of 130 entries have been received again for Pro Tour Geelong, as some of the regular front runners will be absent, it will open up the opportunity to see some new winners as the charge is on toward the 2013 Rotax National Championships in Puckapunyal in September.


Above: Victorian Troy Woolston was awarded the Jason Richards Memorial in 2012
pic - IKD

The 2013 Jason Richards Memorial will be opened by an official gala dinner to be held at the Mercure Geelong, with competitors attending to honour the life of Jason, aswell as comedian Rob Brown performing a stand-up regime throughout the night, starting from 6:30pm.

To follow the event throughout the weekend, like Rotax Pro Tour on Facebook, follow Rotax Pro Tour on Twitter and tune into the audio commentary via Ustream at www.ustream.tv/user/internationalkarting.


Above: Jason was a competitor in DD2 at the Rotax Pro Tour in 2010, thus introducing the Jason Richards Cup awarded this weekend to the round winner in DD2
pic - IKD

 

 

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