BJR reveals stunning Jason Richards tribute livery

Brad Jones Racing are set to honour their former driver and friend, the late Jason Richards, with a touching tribute livery across both legs of the ITM New Zealand Double Header.

Cameron Hill's #14 Supra will run in a black and silver livery across the two events at Taupō and Christchurch featuring backing from Electro-Voice, silver ferns down both sides of the Supra, and silver pinstripes on the roof with the 'JR' moniker, harking back to his helmet design from his time with BJR.

The livery design also takes inspiration from Richards' first Supercar, a Team Kiwi Racing Commodore he drove to 16th at the 2000 Bathurst 1000 alongside fellow Kiwi Angus Fogg.

Making the livery all the more special, tomorrow would've been the popular Kiwi's 50th birthday. Team owner Brad Jones says the timing marked the perfect opportunity to honour his legacy, as they look to add to their 2013 JR Trophy win with Jason Bright.

“It’s been 14 years since we lost Jase and it’s still very raw every time I think about his passing," said Jones.

“This is a remarkable opportunity to celebrate his life and the great person he was both on and off track. Tomorrow is his birthday, so it’s a fitting time to take a moment and reflect.

"JR will always have a special place in our team and we carry his legacy with us wherever we go.

“It’s just that bit of extra motivation for us to make sure we are in the fight for the JR Memorial Trophy. As usual that’s our aim in NZ, with more races counting towards the trophy it means there’s more opportunity and I thoroughly believe we can do this.”

As BJR's newest Supercars driver, it isn't lost on Hill just how important a role Richards' legacy continues to play in the story of the team.

Hill also enters this weekend with form at Taupō, having finished second to a dominant Matt Payne in last year's 200km Sunday race.

The one-time race winner thanked Electro-Voice, who provide speakers to the BJR garage at every round, for allowing their branding to be used in the tribute livery.

“I’m honoured to be carrying Jason’s memory in NZ. He was a racer that a lot of people looked up to and it’s special to be able to race in his colours," said Hill.

“Thank you to Electro-Voice for using this as a platform to continue his legacy.”

“I’m excited to head to NZ, the team has a lot of momentum and we’ve been able to build something exciting in the first two rounds. It’s obviously a new challenge with the fly-away type of events and with the track in Christchurch being a bit of an unknown, but everyone is in the same situation.”

Fans in Taupō can see the livery up close at the Track to Town activation this afternoon from 3:45pm NZST.

Cars hit the track for two practice sessions tomorrow to kick off the ITM Taupō Super 440.