Racing legend Jim Richards, who returns to Pukekohe to show off his all-conquering Porsche GT-3 in his home country, will face a youthful challenge and an old family rivalry.
Richards learned his racing in Auckland before heading across the Tasman for an amazing career which has seen him win seven Bathurst1000s, the latest last year in a Holden Racing Team car with Mark Skaife.
He finished just off the podium last month despite no longer being a Supercar regular, but he has rarely been off the top of the podium in the Carrera Cup Porsche series.
Richards, now in his mid-50s, is one of eight Australia-based Porsche drivers who will take on the locals in a series which begins at Pukekohe this weekend and will continue for five rounds after Christmas.
Christchurch driver Kevin Bell has had considerable success in the Australian series and can be expected to continue that form, but one of the main Kiwi threats to Richards should be young Aucklander Matt Halliday
Halliday, who has returned recently from a season of Renault V6 single-seaters in Europe, impressed last January with his one-off performance in a 2001 model Porsche GT-3 at Pukekohe, where he had three wins and a second.
He expects Richards to make life "most difficult" with his vast racing experience and huge success rate.
During the 1970s Richards and Halliday's father, Don, were intense rivals throughout New Zealand while racing Escort twin-cams. The rivalry extended to Australia when Richards campaigned a potent Mustang and Halliday a semi-works Capri Cosworth.
Best known of the Aussies is Paul Morris, who will also be driving his V8 Supercar.
An interesting newcomer in the local ranks is Jody Vincent, who campaigned a NZV8 with credit last season.
