Shannons are excited to announce our association with Clay Richards in the 2021 Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 series.
The 20-year-old is making his professional motor racing debut this weekend at the Mt Panorama Motor Racing Circuit at Bathurst. Being the son of five-time Bathurst 1000 winner Steven Richards and grandson of seven-time winner Jim Richards, his surname carries some expectation. However, Clay is quick to dispel any notion that he’s worried, telling the Mountain Views Star Mail, “There’s a little bit of pressure but not too much,” later adding, “I just go out on track and always do the best I can; that’s all I can do.”
Aside from his family connections, several years’ experience in the Australian Kart Championship means Clay is no stranger to a racetrack, nor the competitive nature one needs to succeed. COVID kyboshed his plans to compete in Formula Ford last year but stepping up from open wheelers to the TGRA 86 series will give him a taste of ‘tin top’ production car-style racing.
Resplendent in fresh Shannons signage, Clay’s Toyota 86 has little in common with the V8 Supercars and Group A touring cars that his father and grandfather drove, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction to follow in their footsteps.
All competitors in the one-make series drive near identical Gazoo Racing-prepared Toyota 86s with strict limitations on setup changes. Like all one-make series, driver talent is the key to winning races, nothing more, and while Clay certainly is hungry for victory, there will be around 30 other drivers with similar motives.
We are thrilled to support this third-generation young gun as he shoots for Bathurst glory this weekend and look forward to following his career throughout the rest of the 2021 TGRA 86 series and beyond. With a family lineage such as his, he’ll be receiving the best mentorship a young driver could hope for, but his father Steve’s advice for racing Bathurst is probably the most important thing to remember this weekend, “Keep it off the walls. Try not to crash the car.” Good advice.
Mark Behr, Executive Manager, Marketing for Shannons added "Shannons are very proud to be associated with Clay Richards and his team. The TGRA 86 is an exciting one-make series and our support reflects our deep involvement across all motorsport categories throughout Australia."
Clay’s debut in the TGRA 86 series is at Bathurst, with the category part of the support race action for round one of the Supercars Championship, the Repco Mt Panorama 500 26-28 February.
All practice sessions and races will be televised on both Foxtel and Kayo.
