Motorsport: Kiwi motorsport great Jim Richards' son takes wheel of father's iconic Australian touring car for NZ debut

One of the most iconic cars in Australian Touring Car history has touched down in New Zealand for the first time. 

The R31 Nissan Skyline Kiwi motorsport great Jim Richards drove to the 1990 title is being pedalled by his son Steven at this weekend's Skope Classic at Ruapuna in Christchurch

And 34 years after being unleashed, this Group A Nissan rocket can still get up and dance.  

"For our family in particular, and for all the Nissan heads out there, this car is a very special car," Steven Richards told Newshub.

The 1990 triumph for Richards began a three-year period of dominance for Nissan.

This weekend, they're hoping they can return the R31 to its glory years and take out the Historic Touring Cars class at this weekend's Skope Classic.

"We get a huge field. All the guys are keen," said Richards.

Arguably the keenest of them all is 80-year-old Trevor Crowe, whose racing career began all the way back in the 1960s. 

He's been reunited with the BWM 635 he used to win the 1986 New Zealand Touring Car Championship.

"It's like an old coat - you get in it and you don't forget how it works." Crowe said.

Crowe has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. 

"As long as I can [drive] I will," said Crowe. "It's no longer serious but it still puts a grin on my face." 

There's sure to be smiles all round in the Garden City this weekend.

One of the most iconic cars in Australian Touring Car history has touched down in New Zealand for the first time. 

The R31 Nissan Skyline Kiwi motorsport great Jim Richards drove to the 1990 title is being pedalled by his son Steven at this weekend's Skope Classic at Ruapuna in Christchurch

And 34 years after being unleashed, this Group A Nissan rocket can still get up and dance.  

"For our family in particular, and for all the Nissan heads out there, this car is a very special car," Steven Richards told Newshub.

The 1990 triumph for Richards began a three-year period of dominance for Nissan.

This weekend, they're hoping they can return the R31 to its glory years and take out the Historic Touring Cars class at this weekend's Skope Classic.

"We get a huge field. All the guys are keen," said Richards.

Arguably the keenest of them all is 80-year-old Trevor Crowe, whose racing career began all the way back in the 1960s. 

He's been reunited with the BWM 635 he used to win the 1986 New Zealand Touring Car Championship.

"It's like an old coat - you get in it and you don't forget how it works." Crowe said.

Crowe has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. 

"As long as I can [drive] I will," said Crowe. "It's no longer serious but it still puts a grin on my face." 

There's sure to be smiles all round in the Garden City this weekend.

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