* Photos: Drivers who have won the Bathurst 1000 more than once

SEVEN-TIMES Bathurst 1000 winner Jim Richards is looming as a favourite to have his contribution to motor racing permanently honoured at Mount Panorama.

Gentleman Jim’s record is second only to Peter Brock’s nine wins in the city’s Great Race.

Bathurst Regional Council is looking for suggestions to name new roads at the track, and Richards’ place in the short-list has been urged by local motorsport guru Brian Nightingale and Cr Ian North.

And while Mr Nightingale believes there are numerous worthy candidates for the honour, his name has also been mentioned as a potential recipient.

Council has moved to get community feedback on possible people. The new roads will be installed as part of the ongoing development of the circuit. 

It is asking race fans and local residents to tell them who their favourite bike or car racing legends are, to be honoured in the new road naming list.

Mr Richards told the Western Advocate it would be a huge privilege to have his name as a permanent fixture at the mount.

“I would love it,” he said. “It would be a fantastic honour. But how do you pick the names? It would be an interesting exercise. Perhaps you could start by working through the people who have won the Great Race the most times.

“But names like Dick Johnson, Larry Perkins, Mark Skaife, Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes come to mind.”

Deputy mayor Ian North said that local motorsport guru Mr Nightingale would be a name to consider as well as Richards.

“Next year Nighto celebrates 50 years’ involvement with motorsport and Mount Panorama,” he said. “He has done so much to promote the circuit and continues to do so, but there’s so many other worthy people.

“However, there’s not only the drivers. How about an administrator like Ivan Stibbard for his work with the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC). Then there’s the likes of Harry Firth and what about the motorbike people? It will be an interesting search.”

Anyone who completes the survey will be given the opportunity to win a prize pack of two tickets to the 2014 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, two tickets to the 2014 Liqui-Moly 12 Hour and a Mount Panorama Promotional Prize Pack.

Let council know what you think here.