Motorsport: Richards in inspiring win

Jason Richards driver of the #8 Team BOC Holden. Photo / Getty Images

Jason Richards has produced one of the most inspiring performances in V8 Supercar history, winning a race as he battles cancer.

Richards took out race two in the second-tier Fujitsu Development Series at the Clipsal 500 on Saturday.

On his return to race driving after he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in November, the 34-year-old New Zealander stayed out of trouble in a roughly run race to score the most popular of wins.

Richards' most recent bout of chemotherapy failed.

He hopes winning will prove a better treatment.

"Cancer is just as much a mental problem as it is a physical one, and this (racing) weekend for me was all about treatment," Richards said.

"I've lost one battle with cancer in the fact that chemo hasn't been that successful and I guess I've won a battle here mentally.

"I still have a massive battle on my hands with this cancer. Racing is part of my treatment."

The three-time Bathurst runner-up was forced to stand down from his fulltime driving duties in the V8 Supercar series to undergo treatment for adrenal cortical carcinoma.

His return to the second-tier series for the one-off drive was hastily arranged.

Just a few days ago, fellow Kiwi driver Greg Murphy's racing outfit offered him a seat for the Adelaide races after learning he had finished his most recent bout of treatment.

Richards finished 12th in Friday's opening race before his win on Saturday.

Richards is now pinning his hopes of beating cancer on a new drug trial, which he will undergo in Sydney next week.

He is also looking towards continuing treatment in the United States.

While Richards has already been guaranteed a drive at this year's Bathurst 1000 with his old V8 Supercar outfit, Team BOC, he said any fulltime return was a long way off.

"My 100 per cent focus has to be my cancer. Racing is now my weekend fun," Richards said.

- AAP pm