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| Albert Park 400 V8 Supercar Race Two - Jason Richards Inspires |
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| Sunday, 27 March 2011 08:20 |
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Race two at the Albert Park 400 was one of those races for V8 Supercars. It will not be remembered because of who won it or who crashed, or what it meant in the competition for the $500,000 at the end of the weekend. It will be remembered because of what Jason Richards achieved and how incredibly inspiring he has been in the process. For those of you who don't know, Richards was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare form cancer at the end of last year. He has been undergoing treatment but during a break in treatment has gotten back behind the wheel. Last weekend at the Clipsal 500 he won a Fujitsu V8 Supercar race and this weekend regular series driver Jason Bargwanna stepped aside to let him back into the cockpit of the Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore he was piloting up until he was diagnosed last year. To be taking part in the three races over the weekend was an incredible feat in itself, the fact that he finished race two on the podium, in second position after having led for a period, is perhaps one of the greatest moments in V8 Supercar history. Starting on soft tyres meant Richards could catch the boys at the front. He fought hard with Alex Davison for position before the Stone Brothers Racing driver pitted, handing Richards the lead. After pitting himself, Richards came back out on track with a comfortable lead. Now on the hard tyre with Tander having the speed advantage on the soft compound meant Richards was at a disadvantage as the Holden Racing Team #2 driver charged through the field and eventually passed the Kiwi. Alex Davison held onto third. Race one winner Jamie Whincup started badly, falling back to sixth after not getting away cleanly from the line. He was later served with a 10 second penalty for jumping the start which caused him to fall back further in the field before recovering to fourth by the skin of his teeth in a three way fight to the line with Rick Kelly and team mate Lowndes who finished fifth and sixth respectively. After the race, all the cheers and tears were for Richards, all down pit lane, in the grandstands and I am sure, the people watching at home too. Sometimes press conferences can become tedious, a parade of the usual PR catch lines but the one that followed this race was different. It had a meaning, it was full of emotions as Richards gave us more of an insight to where things stand for him. “I’ve got a massive battle on my hands. My cancer is not getting any better. I’m off chemotherapy, so shortly I’ll have my hair back. “This really is my couple of little weekends in a row where I’m having a normal life. This is definitely not my comeback. This is purely me having fun, me being able to have fun.” he said “It really does make a difference when I’m in hospital, having the positive energy, walking in with a spring in my step rather than coming in off the couch, “That makes a big difference. I don’t know if it’s the fitness I get during the race meeting, or the energy I get from friends and the V8 family, the fans, the media, everyone who has stood behind me through this.” If that wasn't enough, his recollection of a visit he received earlier in the day was truly humbling for all who heard it. “I find myself lucky when I’m looking at this young boy – I’ve got a three and a half your old and a 17 month old myself. I’d rather take on this battle myself, rather than them, but this young boy has given me a lot of inspiration because they don’t fully understand how sick they really are. They just get on with they’re life, and that’s what I’m trying to do myself.” There you have it, a man you can be truly inspired by. The next time you feel like you are having a bad day, that things are turning out how you wanted them too, please remember this story, keep going and be thankful for what is working. Think about Jason Richards, think about that four year old boy and how motorsport is helping to keep them going. It isn't just a sport, it's a family. By Jacki Warnock Worth checking - Motorsport news - F1 news - Jacki Warnock
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Regards - Col - Australia.