Pitstop: Driver remembered

Jason Richards. Photo / Getty Images

Local friends and fans of New Zealand-born V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards will be able to pay their respects at a memorial service in Auckland on Waitangi Day, February 6. Richards, 35, died in Melbourne on December 15 last year. The service will be at the Giltrap Audi building, 150 Great North Rd, Auckland, from 1pm to 3.30pm.

Karters fight it out

Top karters from New Zealand and Australia will be in Wellington this weekend for the Mi Sedaap CIK Trophy of New Zealand meeting. Pro series champion Ryan Grant will face stiff competition from Daniel Bray and New Zealand sprint champion Matthew Hamilton.

Recognition confirmed

The International Olympic Committee now recognises the FIA and its inclusion within the Olympic family. President of MotorSport New Zealand Shayne Harris said this cleared up a misconception among officials and political bodies that motorsport was not a true sport.

Big time for classics

Hampton Downs is hosting another weekend of some of the best classic and historic racing, including the F5000s for the third New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing. This year the annual event is celebrating BMW's motorsport history and the museum in Munich has shipped out some special cars.

Celebration for Renault

Three Renault 5 Alpines will contest this year's Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique to start the celebrations marking the car's 40th anniversary.

Under the hood

Australian V8 Supercars says there will be no transition year for the introduction of the Car of the Future. The new car will be fully implemented across the entire field in 2013. To ensure an equal footing for all teams, every car in the 2013 championship will appear on the grid at the opening event, fully complying with the new regulations.