Bargwanna, Richards, and GRM names to reunite 

The iconic trio of names, Bargwanna, Richards, and GRM will reunite through the TCR Australia Series at Sandown on September 8-10.

In a throw back to the 1990’s, the Bargwanna, Richards, and Garry Rogers Motorsport names will re-combine, but this time in a Peugeot 308.

The line-up that TCR Australia competitor Ben Bargwanna races for with his father Jason Bargwanna as team owner, alongside GRM, will welcome Clay Richards into the team -the son of 5 time Bathurst 1000 winner Steven Richards.

Richards will drive the Hangcha Forklifts Peugeot as part of the five-car team after having made his TCR debut with a Melbourne Performance Centre-prepared Audi RS3 LMS TCR – scoring a P2 in Race 2.

Both Jason and Steven can credit GRM for their first major opportunities in Motorsport, with Jason (2000 Bathurst 1000 winner) also combining with the great Jim Richards and GRM at the 1998 Bathurst 1000 for a third place in a Holden VS Commodore.

Richards will drive the Hangcha Forklifts Peugeot 308 at Sandown 

Ben and Clay’s combined team round at Sandown will mark the first occasion since the ’98 running of the Great Race that the two names will again be in cahoots, although they’ll also be going head-to-head.

“It’s great to have the Richards name back at GRM. My dad raced with Garry Rogers Motorsport when he first entered Supercars and also my grandad as well,” Clay Richards said. 

“It’s great to partner up with the Bargwanna’s, Benny and I’ve got to thank Jason for the opportunity, it’s really exciting.

“I absolutely loved my time at Winton (TCR debut). Getting a podium on debut was really cool and to also get this chance with Garry Rogers Motorsport as well.”

Richards made his TCR debut at Winton, scoring a podium in Race 2. Image: Daniel Kalisz

The historical significance of the reunion didn’t escape TCR Australia and TCR World Tour competitor, Ben Bargwanna.

“It’s one of those things in history that comes full circle and it doesn’t happen very often, it’s very exciting,” Bargwanna said.

“We have a very good relationship with Hangcha and to stick Clay in the other Peugeot, he can get a taste of what I’ve been driving all year, which will be exciting.

“It will be great to work with Clay and he will really benefit from having a big team around him. But once we get in the cars, the gloves will definitely be off, and we’ll be going head-to-head!

“Clay is talented, he’s a good driver and he held me off pretty well for a podium spot at Winton, so he can do it. I think he’ll do just as good a job at Sandown in the Peugeot.”

Bargwanna took out the rookie trophy in Race 2 of his TCR World Tour debut at Potimao

Team Owner of Bargwanna Motorsport, Jason, says he is delighted to be able to work with the young Richards.

“Once we were able to sit down and talk to Hangcha about what we were doing here to put the program together, there was a point where I was actually going to pull out the helmet and have a go,” Bargwanna said.

“But when I watched Clay drive at Winton, he became an obvious choice. The plan was to give a young guy a go, Garry (Rogers) gave me a go many years prior, he did the same for Steven, and Jim and myself finished on the podium at Bathurst.

“Watching Clay through karts, Formula Ford and Toyota 86s, he was an easy choice.

“I think it’s going to be exciting for him to debut in the Hangcha Peugeot at Sandown.”

In a fairly tight championship season, Bargwanna sits seventh in the standings in his Burson Auto Parts Racing GRM #71 Peugeot, with one strong round capable of making championship inroads.

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