Richards Up But Looking For More

After a difficult final round at Taupo Motorsport Park last weekend Simon Richards and the Ballistic Motorsport Team finished the season in 14th place overall and although they were up on last year's effort the Hamilton driver felt they could have kept the SEW Eurodrive Ford up higher in the rankings.

"It was a little disappointing we struggled with car speed at Taupo and the only time we were quick enough was when we bolted on new tyres. We were quicker there than last year but as it turned out so were many others and we had all raised our game." said Richards.

Richards started the season very strongly with a 'best-ever' round at Pukekohe Park Raceway at the opener in November 2009. The speed and drive he delivered there saw him step inside the top 10 a position he held throughout the first half of the season.

However at the third round of the season in Timaru Richards suffered his only DNF of the season when leaving the circuit in race three and becoming stranded in a sandtrap, the loss of points dropping him outside of the exclusive group of front runners in the top 10.

With the competition being closer than ever this season, he incredibly shifted from a hard fought ninth place all the way down to 15th even though he was just 40 points away from the top 10 arena.

Richards climbed back up the standings ladder at Manfeild but still outside of the 10 went to Taupo quietly confident of being quick and finding some valuable points. His hope was to leap-frog two or three drivers and perhaps reclaim a spot inside the top 10 accomplishing his and the team's season target.

Unfortunately the harsh round at Taupo left Richards with 14th overall in the championship which although short of their hopes was still up on the previous season. His finish was indeed a creditable placing for what is simply New Zealand's highest and most competitive motorsport championship.

"We should have been quicker there, we did two days testing prior to the weekend and were hoping for grandeur and just didn't deliver on the day."

"But we are really happy with the season and did so much better than last year. We're not ripping the car to pieces after each round and we have delivered some really good results - it was a season to be proud of. We have been getting some very good TV coverage this year which is really important and will keep our sponsors happy. And I think we have had more coverage than some of the winners this year because we have been where the action is." he says.

At Taupo Motorsport Park Richards qualified in 15th and in the races placed 17th, 15th and 18th giving him an overall placing of 14th at the end of the BNTV8s Championship 2009-10 season.

Ballisitic Motorsport again put on a high quality event for their guests in their hospitality marquee which was situated at the end of the main straight offering a view of not only the most exciting passing point but the entire circuit including the start finish line. The guests were all treated to great food, a constant flow of refreshments and TV coverage to enhance their track view.

The hospitality marquee was hosted by Simon Richards' wife Natalie and mother Linda along with members of the Concept Motorsport and Marlin Motorsport teams.

"It was another stunning weekend with top rate hospitality for the guests." said Natalie Richards.

Next month the BNTV8s will contest in a non championship round at the ITM 400 in Hamilton over the weekend of April 16-18 where they will support the fifth round of the Australian V8 Supercars Championship.