Richards in Dynamik switch to Australia
5/12/2002 14:29 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Highly regarded Kiwi racer Jason Richards has quit the national team, Team Kiwi Racing, to try his luck in Australia.
The 26-year-old former New Zealand touring car champion will partner compatriot Simon Wills at the fledgling Adelaide-based Team Dynamik next season, led by Malcolm Ramsey and Wills’ father Kieron.
Richards all but confirmed the deal in a statement yesterday. He said there would be a “strong New Zealand presence” at his new home.
Team Brock’s Craig Baird will replace Richards, with the team committing to a VY Commodore assault on next year’s championship.
Richards said it was time to “make the step that will enable me to make progress in my racing career."
"We are one of only a few teams that will start the season with a brand-new VY Commodore,” he said of his new team. “So we go into 2003 with a two-car team, a very focussed, professional Supercar campaign, fresh equipment and a keen hungry group of enthusiasts behind us."
Team Dynamik has secured the Imrie Motorsport Level 2 franchise and hopes to run the second car under the Level 1 Lansvale Racing Team banner.
LRT will run only one Commodore next year, for Cameron McConville. Negotiations between both teams are continuing.
Team Kiwi boss David John said New Zealand-born Baird, 32, a round winner on the Supercar circuit with Stone Brothers Racing, was a new lease on life for the team.
“Craig's excitement and enthusiasm at being involved has given me a lift already after a pretty hard couple of years establishing Team Kiwi Racing,” he said.
“His keenness to get involved and share his knowledge with our development drivers to get them up to speed is a very positive sign. We think that he will be a big asset to Team Kiwi and will fit into our structure seamlessly.”
Baird said it was a great honour to be joining the team.
“I am very excited about the potential Team Kiwi Racing has, what they have achieved in a very short time over the last two seasons and where they are headed over the next couple of years and I look forward to playing my part in that role,” he said.
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