Originally Posted by
Steve Holmes
Wow! Where have you been hiding this? Awesome pic, and one I've not seen before. You're right, this is indeed Jim Richards, and I'm 99.99% certain this photo was taken at Manfeild in February 1975. Rob Lester held a 70 lap endurance race in which JR put this Falcon on pole, and was the fastest car throughout, but was beaten to the finish by Inky Tulloch in an E-49 Charger. Tulloch was able to complete the full distance without having to stop for fuel, whereas JR had to pit the thirsty Falcon at least once.
The success of this race prompted Lester to get a Winter Endurance Series off the ground during the winter of 1975, with races held at Manfeild, Pukekohe and Bay Park. JR switched to co-driving a Z28 Camaro with Neville Crichton. I could be wrong, and would love to know for sure, but John Marslin raced an XA hardtop very similar the this one in the Winter Endurance Series. Is this the car Marslin raced?
Thanks for sharing.