Racing legend Jim Richards awarded Australia Day honour

Kiwi-born motorsport legend Jim Richards has been awarded an Australia Day honour.

Richards, a seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner and four-time Australian Touring Car Champion, was named among the 2026 Australia Day honours.

The New Zealander was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for “significant service to motor sports.”

Nicknamed ‘Gentleman Jim’, Richards was a titan of the Australian racing scene, winning Bathurst with Peter Brock in 1978, 1979 and 1980), with Mark Skaife in 1991 and 1992, and with Swede Rickard Rydell in the 1998 Super Touring race.

In 2002, aged 55, Richards won again with Skaife, making him the oldest winner in the history of the Great Race.

He also won the ATCC drivers' championship with BMW in 1985 and 1987, and with Nissan in 1990 and 1991.

Beyond V8s, Richards claimed titles in Porsche Carrera Cup, GT, Nations Cup, NASCAR Australia and Touring Car Masters, and also won the Targa Tasmania tarmac eight times.

Such was his impact across both sides of the Tasman, that Richards is an inductee in the Supercars Hall of Fame, and Motorsport Hall of Fames in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2024, Supercars initiated a new award, the Jim Richards Award, which is similar to the AFL’s Brownlow Medal.

Richards was regarded among the most respected drivers on and off the track, with the Jim Richards Award presented to the 'best and fairest' driver across the Supercars season. Drivers are awarded votes for their on-track performance, professionalism, and respectability in the field of play.

He grew up in South Auckland, New Zealand, and moved to Melbourne with wife Fay in in the mid 1970s.

Richards is the father of five time Bathurst winner Steven, and grandfather of racer Clay.

Other motorsport figures recognised in the 2026 Australia Day honours include Penrite Oil owner Margaret Dymond and media personality Brett Murray, who were both awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).