wombat666
December 17th, 2011, 17:56
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V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards has died at the age of 35, just over a year after being diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma.
The New Zealander died on Thursday night at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
After being diagnosed, Richards immediately stepped down from racing to undergo treatment, but was able to participate in some racing at the beginning of the season, retaking his old seat at Brad Jones Racing at the non-Championship rounds at Melbourne, taking a podium finish.
Richards' had raced in the V8 Supercars since 2000, for teams Team Kiwi Racing, Team Dynamik and Tasman Motorsport, before joining Brad Jones Racing in 2009.
The team has put out this official statement:
"In the competitive world of V8 Supercars Jason was a rare breed – a driver that could tread the fine line between rivalry and friendship. He was never secretive, selfish or bad-tempered and had endless enthusiasm and energy for his job and team."
"The history books will not do him justice. Given the right equipment JR was easily a front-runner but chose team loyalty over personal gain, determined to work with his crew to reach the front of the grid together."
"Through the highs and lows of racing, JR's uplifting presence and casual, self-effacing wit were unwavering and his effect he had on team morale is irreplaceable."
"He will forever be a member of the Jones family and this is a tragic day in the team's history."
:kilroy:
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54506
Jason was a real gentleman and will be sadly missed by all of us Aussies.
V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards has died at the age of 35, just over a year after being diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma.
The New Zealander died on Thursday night at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
After being diagnosed, Richards immediately stepped down from racing to undergo treatment, but was able to participate in some racing at the beginning of the season, retaking his old seat at Brad Jones Racing at the non-Championship rounds at Melbourne, taking a podium finish.
Richards' had raced in the V8 Supercars since 2000, for teams Team Kiwi Racing, Team Dynamik and Tasman Motorsport, before joining Brad Jones Racing in 2009.
The team has put out this official statement:
"In the competitive world of V8 Supercars Jason was a rare breed – a driver that could tread the fine line between rivalry and friendship. He was never secretive, selfish or bad-tempered and had endless enthusiasm and energy for his job and team."
"The history books will not do him justice. Given the right equipment JR was easily a front-runner but chose team loyalty over personal gain, determined to work with his crew to reach the front of the grid together."
"Through the highs and lows of racing, JR's uplifting presence and casual, self-effacing wit were unwavering and his effect he had on team morale is irreplaceable."
"He will forever be a member of the Jones family and this is a tragic day in the team's history."
:kilroy:
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54506
Jason was a real gentleman and will be sadly missed by all of us Aussies.