FAMILY AFFAIR

DRIVING YOUR dad’s car isn’t all that special unless your dad happens to be Jim Richards and the car in question is the Nissan Skyline HR31 that won the 1990 Australian Touring Car Championship.

- Mark Higgins

We caught up with Jim and Steven between practice sessions at the recent Island historics.

Jim – “When people ask me what my favourite car was to drive, it wasn’t the GTR it was the HR31 because the results we got we probably shouldn’t have got as it was underpowered compared to the Sierras. It was always more a challenge to drive the HR31 than driving the GTR.”

Unique Cars (UC) How do you feel watching Steven race it this weekend?

Jim – “It’s good, I can watch, listen and enjoy one of the best-sounding race cars I’ve ever driven every time it goes down the straight.”

(UC) What was the secret to beating the all-conquering Sierras?

Jim – “To hang in there as the Skyline was kinder on tyres, but the Fords had at least another 100 horsepower. On a tight track that power advantage didn’t come into it as much so we could match them and sometimes beat them.”

(UC) What were your favourite tracks to race the HR31 on?