THE coveted Jason Richards Memorial Trophy will continue to be awarded beyond this weekend’s Supercars swansong from Pukekohe Park Raceway.
The special silverware has been awarded at every Pukekohe round since the circuit’s return to the Supercars calendar in 2013, in honour of the late Richards, who contested 284 championship races.
Prior to that, when the category raced on the New Zealand streets of Hamilton, it was the Mark Porter Trophy that had been up for grabs.
With Pukekohe closing to motorsport next April, Supercars is exploring alternative options for an annual trip across the ditch – but wherever it goes, the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy will follow.
“Absolutely, that trophy will carry on as long as we’re racing in New Zealand,” Supercars CEO Shane Howard confirmed to V8 Sleuth.
Howard was less committal on when a decision will be finalised on whether Hampton Downs or another circuit will succeed Pukekohe on the schedule.
“Well, obviously this being the last race at Puke was kind of sprung on us almost,” Howard said.
“It was a bit of a surprise to us all I think, so now we have been working with Auckland Unlimited and looking at our options.
“We absolutely want to be back racing in New Zealand, we have got a very strong fan base here.
“This event is going to be extremely well supported, people are voting with their feet, so we’re full swing into investigating our opportunities to continue here.”
The Repco Supercars Championship will hit the track tomorrow for opening practice from 2:40pm NZST (12:40pm AEST).
