Motorsport champion Jim Richards joins other kiwi legends to raise funds for charity

Australian and NZ Championship winner Jim Richards has confirmed attendance at the annual CHEMZ Gathering of Geezers Charitable dinner held Thursday 12th November at Wanaka’s Warbirds & Wheels museum.

Celebrating the “best-of-the-best’ of Kiwi motorsport legends, the ‘Geezers’ event, sponsored by CHEMZ, brings New Zealand motorsport heroes together with motoring enthusiasts for an evening of fun, story-telling and reminiscing.

Two of Wanaka’s most loved Trusts - Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust and the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust -are once again set to benefit from the event which is now in its third year.

The last two events raised significant funds for the Trusts which enabled them to continue the amazing work they do.

Hosted this year by Stephen McIvor, co-host of Sky Speed –Sky Sports’ main motor sport programme, this year’s ‘Geezers’ include for the first time Australian-based Jim Richards, winner of numerous NZ and Australian Championships and multi time winner of the “The Great Race”....The Bathhurst 1000.

Joining Richards for the first time is Bob ‘The Builder’ Clarkson, winner of seven New Zealand titles in Dragster racing during 1972–1975, Aaron Slight and and Donn Anderson.

Returning Geezers include Graeme Crosby, Graham Standring, Graeme Lawrence, Leo Leonard, Jack Nazer, Mike Marshall, Steve Millen, Warwick Jones, Dennis Marwood, Robert Franicevic, Chris Munro, Heather Spurle, Paul Fahey, Roger Bertram, Shane Drake, Owen Evans and Garth Hogan. With more to be announced soon.

“The opportunity to hear how each of these Geezers went about their business to sporting success has me amped.There is nothing quite like discovering the secrets of how each got to where they want to be," said McIvor.

“It’s a great night to talk about all things motorized."

“The skill of the ‘Geezers’ in the room on this night is second-to-none and between them all they’ve won numerous major titles.One thing will be sure, the comradeship between all of them is pure, even if some competed against each other.

“I’m really looking forward to standing on that stage and looking out over what is undoubtedly the best motorsport legends New Zealand has ever seen," added McIvor.

"Jim Richards. I had the opportunity to speak with Jim last year at Bathurst and he’s still out there competing in the classics and man does he have some stories and speed!"

A Geezer is a retired legend of motorsport who has won a major NZ title, its equivalent, or a world title across any discipline, from single seaters and rally to saloon, race boats, drag racing, speedway and bikes or someone who has made an outstanding contribution to NZ Motorsport in another arena such as administration or media.

The event format is a three course banquet dinner including beverages with corporate tables available and individual tickets. Each corporate table is ‘hosted’ by a Geezer and throughout the evening a number of Geezers will take to the stage to regale the audience with tales of triumph and disasters, of near misses and close calls, of great life changing moments from their careers.

The charity auction is another highlight of the event with some big ticket items auctioned off for the charities. Details of the items will be announced in the coming weeks.

Warbirds & Wheels director Robert Duncan said the event was “extremely special” and that this year’s promised to be "bigger than ever".

“Not only do we get to celebrate the amazing contribution the ‘Geezers’ have made to motorsport on the Kiwi and world stage, we also get to raise funds for charity,” said Robert.

“The calibre of the Geezers is phenomenal and the event enables us to respectfully recognise their contribution to the sport as well as catch-up with some old friends.”

“The fact we raise significant funds for two local charities is simply the icing on the cake,” added Robert.

Geezers are invited to the event and are given a certificate and commemorative shirt inducting them into the Geezers Hall of Fame.

ENDS

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