Richards Takes Championship
by Tony Bunyan

What a way to end the 2000/01 season! Down to the last race, at the last meeting!! It couldn't have been scripted any better!! And for the first time in eight years a new team took the New Zealand Touring Car Championship!! It was a dream come true for Team Kiwi boss David Johns and a successful defense of his title by Jason Richards.

Richards Savors His Win!!

While Lyall Williamson's BMW team lost the Championship to Team Kiwi there is an ironic twist to the season in that the nucleus of the Championship winning team learnt so much of their race craft under Williamson's guidance. Both Richards and Crew Chief Martin Collins made their reputations by their success in the BMW team. Though disappointed to lose the Championship, Williamson must feel a sneaking sense of pride that those he had nurtured in his team have made good. Richards dug deep to haul back a 104 point deficit and mount a final challenge at Manfield for the Championship. But in the opening salvo it was Riley who stamped his authority on the field. His time was 0.5 seconds faster than the rest of the field and put him on pole for the rest of the weekend. The first race was a reversal of fortunes for Riley, receiving a 5 second penalty for barging Richards, despite protestations from track observers. The other championship contender Angus Fogg received a 5 second penalty for barging Barrie Thomlinson as they swept onto the main straight. Riley recovered, but Richards went on to score the victory moving eight points clear in the championship.

Riley's Batter BMW 320i After Race One

Sunday was hot and dry. In the first race of the day Riley got away to a brilliant start followed by Richards and Fogg. Richards made an unforced error and spun off the track leaving Riley and Fogg to fight it out for the lead. In a curious turn of events Fogg dispatched Riley off the track while exiting the hairpin without penalty. He crossed the line to claim the victory. This left Richards with a four point lead and Fogg only fourteen points behind Richards.

Angus Fogg Put Himself Well and Truely Back into Contention After Race Two!

The Championship hung in the balance as the cars assembled for the final race. To add an extra layer of tension it was a reverse grid race with the fastest car starting from the back of the grid. By virtue of his lap times in the second race, Angus Fogg was relegated to a position behind Riley. Jody Vincent made the best start and climbed into the lead. But by the third lap Richards and Fogg had fought their way to the front of the pack, with Vincent slotting into third. Aaron Harris and Rhys McKay followed with an impatient Riley in sixth. Harris and McKay acted as a moving barrier to Riley's attempts at overtaking, the most blatant incident occurring on lap six as McKay bulldozed Riley off the track at the hairpin. His penalty for unsportsman like behavior was cold comfort for Riley who saw his championship hopes evaporate. "The impact was so strong that that my helmet was dislodged over my eyes and I couldn't see!!" said Riley of the multiple impacts.

An Emotional Moment for Richards as He Steps Out of His Car After Clinching the New Zealand Touring Car Championship for 2000/01!

In the later stages of the race Richards moved over to let his team mate Fogg take the win, securing a one two finish in the Championship for Team Kiwi !