Mini Replica JR Helmets

Former teammate and friend of the late Jason Richards is selling mini replicas of the helmet ‘JR’ wore in 2011.

Jason Bright – who now races the #8 Team BOC Commodore and won the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy in April – has organised the helmets, with all profits going to Richards’ young daughters Sienna and Olivia.

Click here for purchase information.

The celebrated kiwi driver was this year inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame at the V8 Supercars Gala Awards Dinner, recognising his valued contribution to the sport. He lost his brave battle with Adreno Cortical Carcinoma (ACC) in December of 2011, after having been diagnosed the year prior.

Earlier that year Bright wore a ‘Bid4Jase’ helmet to raise awareness of the fundraiser the V8 Supercars community ran to assist with fees for Richards’ medical support, and for his family.

Bright had some mini replicas of that helmet made and sold them with great success – that has led to more being produced.  

“I spoke to Charlotte (Richards’ wife) about doing a series of all of JR’s helmets and once again give all the profits to his daughters and she was really keen,” Bright told v8supercars.com.au.

“So I basically put it all together, bought in 500 helmets at this stage (to) sell them as soon as they land.

“The interest is certainly there – he was such a great bloke and knowing the money goes to his daughters, plenty of people have jumped on board.

“I really enjoy doing it.”

Winning the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy was the highlight of Bright’s year, after earning the most points across the ITM 400 Auckland weekend in Richards’ native New Zealand.

“It’s going to mean a lot to me for a long time,” Bright said when reflecting on the race weekend recently.

“It was a very, very special win in my whole career, let alone this year.

“To go there and really want to win it, go to bed Saturday night leading the points and go into Sunday’s race with a lot of pressure on – knowing I had to win the race – when you do win a race with all of those things involved, it makes it an extremely special win.”

The New Zealand event was Bright’s last win this season, though he has stood on the podium since in Perth, Winton and season finale the Sydney NRMA Motoring & Services 500.

He finished seventh in the 2013 Championship while Brad Jones Racing was third in the teams’ race this season.