The Kiwi takeover finds top gear

New Zealand V8 great lauds the current crop leading series charge

MOTORSPORT great Jim Richards is celebrating the Kiwi takeover at the front of the Supercars grid as the popular category prepares to head to the Gold Coast.

Shane van Gisbergen last year became the first New Zealand driver to win the series since the last of Richards’ crowns 25 years earlier in 1991.

The Holden star remains in the hunt for the 2017 championship, though it is his countrymen Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin leading the charge.

The points lead has stayed with either of the DJR Team Penske duo since April, with Coulthard emerging from Bathurst with a 91-point advantage. Jamie Whincup and Chaz Mostert are the only Aussies still in title contention.

The Kiwi trio have sped to victory in 14 of the 20 events so far this year, while exceptional rising talent Richie Stanaway also co-drove with Cameron Waters to a Sandown 500 boilover win.

Stanaway has caught the eye of many in the sport with his performances in the No.6 Falcon this endurance season and is thought to be in line to be promoted by Prodrive to a 2018 full-time seat.

Richards has been delighted to see his homeland represented so strongly in the ultracompetitive series.

“Way back when I first came over I was the only Kiwi over here full-time,” Richards told the Bulletin.

“The trouble is getting out of New Zealand to compete in Australia … it’s very hard work because Australia has got some very talented drivers. So for an unknown Kiwi to come and do well it is very, very difficult.

“To have this year Shane, Fabian, Scotty and Richie Stanaway and some more, it is fantastic.

“It is great for both sides of the Tasman.”

With McLaughlin aged 24 and Stanaway 25 – plus van Gisbergen, 28, and Coulthard, 35, still having plenty of miles left in the tank – the Kiwi contingent appear set to reign for years to come.

Richards described McLaughlin as “the real deal” and said his high-profile move to DJR Team Penske had clearly paid dividends.

He also expects Stanaway to be a regular frontrunner in a mere matter of time.

“Richie has really taken the place by storm … most of the team managers would have noticed (what he can do),” Richards said.

All four Kiwi drivers are expected to be among those vying for victory when the Gold Coast 600 is held across October 20-22.