IN 2018 he helped Craig Lowndes to one of more emotional Bathurst 1000 wins in the history of the Great Race, but when Steve Richards returns to Mount Panorama this October he will have a new seat.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He will be sharing the Holden Commodore of Mark Winterbottom.
With Lowndes no longer a full-time Supercars competitor, Richards will co-drive for Winterbottom in the series’ endurance rounds.
His switch to IRWIN Racing will mark his seventh enduro campaign with Winterbottom and first since season 2013 when the duo won the Bathurst 1000.
“I’m really looking forward to what lies ahead, Frosty and I have always kept in touch and remained good friends since we finished racing together,” Richards said.
"I’ve got a lot of respect for him and his ability and I’m really excited to team up again and hoping to replicate what happened for us in 2013.
READ MORE: Frosty says Mount Panorama owns drivers
READ MORE: Holdsworth grabs a Supercars lifeline
“I want to be as involved as a co-driver possibly can and I’m excited to be a part of the team.”
Winterbottom is excited to share the driver’s seat with Richards again who he was previously partnered with for six years at Ford Performance Racing.
“Form guide wise to pick up the current Bathurst champion as a co-driver that’s as good as you can get,” he said.
“Richo and I have been mates for years and we’ve had a lot of cracks at Bathurst together and had some really strong enduro campaigns but unfortunately only have one win to go against our names together.”
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here
Winterbottom expressed how crucial experience will be in the upcoming Enduro Cup with the Bathurst 1000 now listed as the first of the three endurance races on the calendar.
“Leading into the enduro’s this year with Bathurst being round one I think experience will be even more crucial than ever and Richo has that experience with a Triple Eight car so he is the perfect asset to pick up with his ability, knowledge and talent,” Winterbottom said.
“I think the credibility of the team is really good at the moment and people can see good things are happening.
“To land him is another benefit for the team, he’ll play a role all year, come to tests, come into the workshop and he’s another smart head we’ll have at the team.”