Richards Up For Local Action

Just as the dust begins to settle from the final round of the BNTV8s Championship held at Taupo Motorsport Park last month, Hamilton driver Simon Richards looks forward to buckling up for one last battle before the season ends at the ITM400 on the Hamilton street circuit this weekend.

The BNTV8s front up for the country's most popular motorsport event as the top billing support class for the ITM400 putting on their best and most exciting show of the season.

There has been action-a-plenty in the past with the country's best drivers as they fight it out adopting a 'nothing to lose' attitude in this one-off non-championship round with the title fight well and truly behind them; why would this year be any different?

Joining them in the line up of entertainment will be the mighty Trans Tasman challenge between the ENZED V8 Racing Utes from New Zealand as they go head to head with a contingent of Australian drivers and machines from the sister series from across the water who have come here for a Holden vs Ford V8 powered hell-fight.

Also included in the entertainment are the Suzuki Swift Sports Cup cars.

Local boy Simon Richards plans to do well in front of the enthusiastic V8 fans and show them how exciting the BNTV8s can be as he brawls amidst the pack thundering around the concrete walled street circuit in his SEW Eurodrive BA Ford; quite in contrast to his crawling around the Franklin streets on any other week where he often commutes as part of his normal work day.

"Hopefully we can get a good run there this weekend, we did well last year and we will be looking for a top 10 result this time around. If we can get ourselves a top 10 place in qualifying that will hopefully set us up for the weekend." said Richards.

"The car has been quick all season and we hope to be able to carry that on at the event this weekend."

Hamilton celebrates it's third year as host to the V8 Supercars Championship when it returns here this weekend over the 16 to 18 April promising an exciting fifth round of the 2010 season where Jamie Whincup seeks his third championship title in succession.

Swapping from a Ford to a Holden chassis this year the Triple Eight Motorsport driver currently leads an early charge heading into this round ahead of Ford drivers Mark Winterbottom, James Courtney and highest placed Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen in fourth.

Holden Racing Team drivers Garth Tander and Will Davison - placed 11th and 12th - are expected to make this a round to remember as they will make the most of the trip to New Zealand to close the gap on Whincup and get back in the running for a chance at the title.

The BNTV8s get underway with practice and qualification sessions this Friday the 16th. Their first race will take place on Saturday at 11.00am with race two on Sunday 9.15am and race three 1.15pm.

The V8 Supercars have their two races on Saturday at 3.05pm and Sunday 3.05pm.

TV3 will be covering the event broadcasting from 12pm on Saturday and 12pm on Sunday.