"Gentleman" Jim?

MHDT · 3 Nov 2003, 02:38 (Ref:771141)

Having seen RPM's GT3 updates for Bathurst & the Gold Coast yesterday, I had to wonder about some of Jim Richard's ethics.

Two or three times, when his lead was challenged, 'Gentleman' Jim seemed to be able to 'remove' any threat, whilst his challenger ended up somewhere off the track with their race over.

I also wonder about the ethics of having T.Mezera on board as the standards observer given his link to CPR, and CPR's family link back to HRT.

**GTRMagic** · 3 Nov 2003, 02:43 (Ref:771145)

My question would be how T.Mezera would be able to tell JR he wasnt driving with the utmost care for his fellow competitors... hardly speaking from a position of strength in JR or Fitzy's case...

JR places his car on the road in a manner that others cannot easily copy, years of experience has shown that, so he rarely gets knocked off line because he knows most of the tricks....

If you want to see his blood boil, put P.Morris or C.McConville in the field.... best buddy pals they aint...

RS2 · 3 Nov 2003, 03:47 (Ref:771173)

Not a V8SCS topic but needs a reply..........
MHDT
You can't be serious can you?

Jim has been around a long time and you would go a long way to find a more ethical top line driver. While he's finding it harder to stay at the front in Carrera Cup he still has a few good years left in him.
While I didn't see the whole of the telecast the incident at the Chase when Leahey decided to change lines under max. brakes to cover the inside line would have to be rated as very amateurish. Leahey then complains JR ran him off the road.
I'd like to know what Jim was supposed to do?

I gues Tomas would not be a good choice if HRT or CPR were running in Carrera Cup.

jetsetter · 3 Nov 2003, 03:57 (Ref:771176)

I've long wondered how Richards got the nickname "Gentlemen Jim" as without criticizing him he does what it takes to win but a lot of the times it's with driving that is not very gentlemenly like.

**GTRMagic** · 3 Nov 2003, 04:01 (Ref:771180)

Wasnt it to do with the anecdote that Jum is very apologetic afterwards if he bumps you off the circuit?

Crash Test · 3 Nov 2003, 05:18 (Ref:771209)

Just looking at two incidents at Bathurst, Tim Leahey clearly moved over on him twice while leading him. With regards to the Marshall thing, he was hard on the binders, and couldn't stop or steer, and has subsequently been docked 10 points.

Gudgeon · 4 Nov 2003, 01:27 (Ref:772231)

Jim is renowned for being the driver with the most rat cunning he knows just how to nerf of a competitor and come out smelling like roses he is a great driver but a gentleman no way, his immediate after race apology to the injured party is a tactic for any possible stewards hearing.

smithers · 4 Nov 2003, 01:47 (Ref:772244)

Quote:

Originally posted by Gudgeon
Jim is renowned for being the driver with the most rat cunning

I heard he was as cunning as a rat who has just been made professor of cunning at Oxford University.

**GTRMagic** · 4 Nov 2003, 02:04 (Ref:772247)

But JR wins consistently, doesnt usually break or bend the car, and the media give him respect because of his past championships and wins so some indiscretions may inadvertently be overlooked in the interests of the 'sport'

And the sponsors seem to love him...

Crash Test · 4 Nov 2003, 02:47 (Ref:772258)

So is it now five championships in the past five years?

Anyone care to count up all of his titles? Superspeedway etc too?

HDTVKSS · 4 Nov 2003, 02:56 (Ref:772263)

i think its around 12 - 13 big gig titles ( not including car club stuff etc)

Crash Test · 4 Nov 2003, 03:04 (Ref:772267)

Then if you went and counted Targas, Bathursts, Sandowns...

Aarrgh8 · 4 Nov 2003, 06:53 (Ref:772323)

I think he also won an award for public speaking back in 1992.

Wizzby · 4 Nov 2003, 09:34 (Ref:772451)

Quote:

Originally posted by jetsetter
I've long wondered how Richards got the nickname "Gentlemen Jim" as without criticizing him he does what it takes to win but a lot of the times it's with driving that is not very gentlemenly like.

Someone was obviously at their sarcastic best

**GTRMagic** · 4 Nov 2003, 11:54 (Ref:772590)

Wasnt there one of those African Safari kinda movies around at the time, where the main character was "Gentleman Jim" Mike Raymond wasnt always totally imaginative in those days

racer69 · 4 Nov 2003, 12:40 (Ref:772637)

I think i read Mike Raymond thought it up in the early 80s, to give Jim abit of a higher profile, as he wasn't one enough of a 'character'.

Gentlemen Jim went along with Tricky Dicky, Spicey Gricey, baby faced assasin, Talmalmo farmer, no baloney Tony, the grouse Rouse.............

Wizzby · 4 Nov 2003, 13:45 (Ref:772721)

I want to know where Grant Denyer got the nickname "Mad Dog"

Falcadore · 4 Nov 2003, 15:46 (Ref:772817)

Quote:

Originally posted by Crash Test
So is it now five championships in the past five years?

Anyone care to count up all of his titles? Superspeedway etc too?

By far the longest profile in my list of profiles, apart from Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost (where F1GP wins are listed individually.....)

Jim's major wins....

1978 Bathurst 1000
1979 Bathurst 1000
1980 Bathurst 1000
1985 Australian Touring Car Champion
1985 AMSCAR Champion
1985 Australian Endurance Champion
1985 Sandown 500
1986 Australian Endurance Champion
1987 Australian Touring Car Champion
1989 Sandown 500
1990 Australian Touring Car Champion
1991 Australian Touring Car Champion
1991 Bathurst 1000
1992 AMSCAR Champion
1992 Bathurst 1000
1995 Australian GT-Production Car Champion
1996 Targa Tasmania
1996 Australian NASCAR Champion
1997 Targa Tasmania
1998 Targa Tasmania
1998 Bathurst 1000
1998 Bathurst 3 Hour
1999 Australian GT-Production Car Champion
1999 Bathurst 100
2000 Targa Tasmania
2000 Australian GTP Nations Cup Champion
2001 Targa Tasmania
2001 Australian GTP Nations Cup Champion
2002 Targa Tasmania
2002 Australian GTP Nations Cup Champion
2002 Bathurst 1000
2003 Targa Tasmania
2003 Australian Carrera Cup Champion

Mattracer · 4 Nov 2003, 21:38 (Ref:773148)

What's the 1999 Bathurst "100"?

Don't you mean 1000 and that was Steve Richards/Greg Murphy GMS/VT.

Crash Test · 5 Nov 2003, 05:58 (Ref:773449)

Gees, 93 and 94 are let downs...

Onlooker · 5 Nov 2003, 06:27 (Ref:773455)

Quote:

Originally posted by Mattracer
What's the 1999 Bathurst "100"?

Don't you mean 1000 and that was Steve Richards/Greg Murphy GMS/VT.

Maybe him and Rydel winning in the Volvo counts too

racer69 · 5 Nov 2003, 07:17 (Ref:773467)

Him and Rydell winning in the Volvo certainly does count, but that was the 1998 Bathurst 1000.

The Bathurst '100' was the Saturday afternoon sprint in 1999 prior to the Bob Jane T-Marts 500 for Super Tourers at Bathurst '99. Jim won the saturday race, Paul Morris the Sunday race.

Did Jim not win the 1987 AMSCAR title as well?

Falcadore · 5 Nov 2003, 11:36 (Ref:773702)

Quote:

Originally posted by Mattracer
What's the 1999 Bathurst "100"?

Don't you mean 1000 and that was Steve Richards/Greg Murphy GMS/VT.

No Matt I don't. Perhaps including the one-off Bathurst 100 is a bit dubious. It was the 16 lap race held on the Saturday on the 1999 Bob Jane Bathurst 500 weekend.

And yes Jim did win the '87 AMSCAR series.

Mattracer · 5 Nov 2003, 21:47 (Ref:774237)

Quote:

Originally posted by Crash Test
Gees, 93 and 94 are let downs...

Still got 2nd place at Bathurst '93.

Wizzby · 6 Nov 2003, 07:10 (Ref:774497)

That list would make a pretty big red book for This is Your Life....

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