Driver to honour war hero grandfather

V8 race driver Richard Moore has had the Anzac poppy printed on his car. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Motor racing has always been a family affair for Aucklander Richard Moore.

As he progressed through carts to minis to Porches and on to V8 SuperTourers, his extended family could usually be found down at the track, working in the pits and cheering him on. This weekend at Pukekohe, however, Moore's grandfather Alan Anderson won't be there.

Mr Anderson has Alzheimer's disease and is no longer well enough to get out and watch his grandson. So instead, Moore will race with a poppy emblazoned on the bonnet of his car as a tribute to Mr Anderson - a World War II veteran and tireless worker for the RSA movement.

"I'm sure he'll still be happy deep down, somewhere in there," said Moore, who plans to dedicate any success he enjoys this weekend to his grandfather.

Mr Anderson, who served as a navigator on a supply plane during World War II, is a former district president for the RSA in Auckland, a past national executive member and a life member of the Manurewa RSA. He received the Queen's Service Medal for services to the RSA in 2003.

"He always used to come down and watch my racing," Moore said. "It's a bit sad that he can't come out. He is still passionate about it.

"That is the best thing about motorsport, it is so family orientated."

Moore is a part of the East Tamaki-based three-car team that includes V8s legend Greg Murphy and Paul Manuell.

He'd like to step up to V8 Supercars but to get there he needs success at New Zealand championship level, and that means getting the best of Murphy.

"It will be hard work but we took a win last year at Hampton Downs," Moore said.

"We didn't do so well last year at Puke but we've made a few changes with how the car is put together, so hopefully we can give Murph a run for his money."

Racing starts today, with the first V8 Supercars race scheduled for 3.30pm. Moore will then be in action in qualifying for the V8 SuperTourers.