Asian Motor Sports

Bathurst frontrunner Jason Richards has signed up for the Manfeild ute racing meet in February.

The Nelson 29 year old, second at Mt Panorama this year, is with V8 Supercar team Tasman Motor Sports. He will remain true to Holden in the February 3-5 event, having agreed to partner ute series stalwart Gary Baxter.

Nelson born but now a resident of Victoria, Richards is the fourth New Zealander to sign up.

Already confirmed are Palmerston North favourite Chris Pither, 19, and New Zealand V8 competitors John McIntyre and Wade Henshaw.

Richards has frequently raced at Manfeild since his teens, his greatest success there in 2001 when he wrapped up the national touring car title four years ago.

Securing the runner-up spot at Mt Panorama in October cemented his reputation as a definite V8 superstar in the making.

His co-driver at Manfeild is no slouch, either.

Baxter (Sage Racing Commodore) finished third in this year’s V8 ute championship and has been the most consistent Holden driver all season.

Sage Racing team manager Andrew Eglinton brokered the deal which includes backing from Super Cheap Auto for the NZ event.

“Jason is an explosive driver and we’re very excited about what his profile and obvious driving skill will bring to the table,” Eglinton said.

Richards said the utes had been an exciting support category for the Supercar series this year.

“Clearly it’s a competitive and tough style of racing. I can’t wait to get out there and have a crack at it, especially with plenty of my former NZ rivals also likely to line up.”

Expected to feature 20 Falcon and Commodore utes, the meeting is not part of the 2006 championship and adopts a unique format to allow New Zealand and Australia drivers to share a vehicle.

Each will contest two races then pair up for a 24-lap final which includes a compulsory driver change.

The meeting will be the last outing for the Falcon utes in their current form. The Ford faithful are trading up into a newer version, with a 5.4-litre V8, for the 2006 championship, which opens at Adelaide in March. (SOURCE: Stuff New Zealand)