Here's a few excellent pictures of the Jim Richards Sidchrome Mustang at Baypark, from our good friend Warwick Clayton!!! Warwick's even getting a friendly wave from Jim(middle pic) and have a hard look in the back ground of the low pic, i just luv the "safety Fencing" back then, before we all got PC
Dale Mathers
TGA, NZ
Hi Dale,
I have a colouered photo of the Mustang and the Imp together in the pits at Baypark. Could be the same meeting. Love that car - might we see it back on track sometime ?? Will dig the photo up and try posting it here.
Cheers MIke
Heres a couple more from Bay Park, late 1975. Just check out the quality of the machinery in the first pic; Jack Nazer (Victor Chevy) leads Leo Leonard (PDL Mustang), Richards, Allan Moffat (DeKon Monza 1005), Don Halliday (quad-cam Capri), Red Dawson (DeKon Monza 1001), Grant Walker (ex works RS2600 Capri), John McCormack (Repco Charger).
Even in the US a Sidchrome Replica was built, around the early 90's i believe!! offcourse nothing like the real one, not even the rite model!!
Dale Mathers
Didn't someone try to pass this off as the real thing several years ago?
It was a smart looking machine and a step up for Jim.
Yes they did Steve, it went to Auction in the early 90's but because it had unknown history in the US it didn't get the money!! Don't know who owns it now? and have never seen it at historic race meetings in the USA. I've been told it was built over there by someone from NZ.Originally Posted by Steve Holmes
Dale
I love that photo Mike!
Does anyone know the overall win/loss record of the Sidchrome Mustang?
Some info for your files:
Richards finished 4th in the 1976 Australian Sports Sedan Championship, which I think was the first year this became a national championship. From what I can tell, he either hadn't entered or didn't finish three of the seven rounds, but finished 4th, 2nd, 2nd, and 4th in the races he did complete. The championship was won by Allan Moffat who'd run initially with his RS3100 Capri, which was replaced by his DeKon Chevy Monza, while Frank Gardner (Corvair) finished the championship in 2nd, and Tony Edmonson (Repco Charger) was 3rd. Gardner only ran the last three races of the season in the new Corvair, but won them all.
Richards won the 1976 Marlboro $100,000 Sports Sedan series, which was held at Calder Park, over five rounds. He won none of the races but was the most consistent. He placed 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 3rd, and 5th, to win the title from Bob Jane (HQ Monaro), and Frank Gardner. Again Gardner only ran the last three races but won all of them.
The Sidchromes first race in Australia (from memory) was at Baskerville Tas...
Here it is jacked up with a blown gearbox while a private XW GT Falcon has become the donor.
The XW GT is owned by Garth Wigston (Tassie Humpy driver, Lotus Cortina, Escort TC, Roadways Torana's at about 7 or 8 Bathursts) who
bought it new and still has it.
George Sheiwery has had the car for along time. Be good to see it back in Sidchrome colours. Last time I saw it was black with red and yellow stripping a bit like Moffats late coupe.
Be quite tricky finding that info Michael, JR did race it a LOT in both NZ and Aus right up until the arrival of his XC Falcon hardtop, in 1978. And in both NZ Saloon Car Championship races, non championship races, and Aussie Sports Sedan races. He did win the $100,000 Marlboro series in Aus in 1976 (I think) and the NZ Saloon Car Championship in 1974.
Richards is mired in the pack here at Bay Park, late 1973. The car was a little off the pace in the early part of its career, but by the end of this season, would take its driver to the NZ Saloon Car Championship.
Hope this comes through first try at this, early 80s Baypark Sweeper
Ah Ha think I got this idea.
Would be fantastic to see that car back on track. Maybe we can sweet talk George. Is the car complete does anyone know ?
George has told me that it is subject to a long term rebuild but other race cars are taking up his time.
Last edited by kiwi285; 06-08-2011 at 09:01 PM.
i have some vidio of george at bay park plus some at silverstone 87 of the 3 BRMs in the pits and on the grid been pushstarted towards the camera ,the noise was unreal even the camera seemed to vibrate. they Mason Wheatcroft and unknown did 3 laps this was followed by 3 spitfires play above for at least 5 min. for a small fee i can copy onto a dvd including about 2 hrs on each disc of pertaining footage
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