Steven Richards, a veteran of the Supercars scene, has revealed a fascinating chapter in his racing career that could have seen him driving for one of the most iconic teams in the sport - Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU). Richards, a five-time Bathurst 1000 winner, shared this insight during an episode of the V8 Sleuth Podcast, powered by Parramatta Toyota. This revelation is particularly intriguing given the team's rich history and its former identity as the Holden Racing Team.
Richards' journey with WAU began in 1995 when he made his Bathurst debut with Gibson Motorsport, finishing a respectable fourth. Over the years, he returned to the Mountain with various teams, including Garry Rogers Motorsport, Stone Brothers Racing, Perkins Engineering, Ford Performance Racing, and Triple Eight. However, it was his potential wildcard deal with WAU that captured the imagination of many fans.
In 2018, after winning the Bathurst 1000 with Craig Lowndes, Richards was part of the downsizing at Triple Eight, moving to Team 18. He signed a two-year deal with long-time teammate Mark Winterbottom, but decided to hang up his helmet after a sixth-place finish in 2019 to take on a full-time role as the squad's relationships manager. The COVID-19 pandemic then disrupted this chapter, leading to budget cuts and job losses, including Richards.
Richards explained that he had sacrificed a two-year driving deal to help Charlie Schwerkolt manage his sponsorship program. He was supposed to drive in 2020 but decided to look for new opportunities outside of driving but still within motorsport. This led him to put his hand up for the 2021 season, but a wildcard deal with WAU, which was being explored for Jack Perkins, never materialized.
In my opinion, this potential deal with WAU is particularly fascinating because it highlights the delicate balance between driving and management roles in motorsport. Richards' decision to prioritize management over driving, despite his racing prowess, is a testament to the diverse skills required in the sport. It also raises a deeper question about the future of driving roles and the potential for drivers to transition into management positions.
What makes this story even more intriguing is the contrast between Richards' racing achievements and his decision to step away from the cockpit. While he has continued to make sporadic appearances in historic racing and is now working with the Blanchard Racing Team, his potential deal with WAU remains a 'what if' scenario. This story serves as a reminder that in the fast-paced world of motorsport, opportunities can come and go in an instant, and sometimes, the most unexpected paths can lead to the most rewarding destinations.
