Jason Richards Dies

[Little Chuchok]

V8 SUPERCAR racer Jason Richards lost his short battle with cancer in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Just over a year after being diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of the disease, he died at home with his wife Charlotte beside him.

Richards fought as hard as he could and refused to give up on his racing career until he was too weak to drive.

He managed an amazing third-fastest practice time in his final V8 Supercar drive at Darwin this year.

During his fight with cancer, Richards told News Limited he was enjoying racing more than ever.

"At the moment, cancer is a big part of my life. But when I jump in the racecar I feel cancer-free," Richards told the Herald Sun in May.

"I'm so busy I don't have the capacity to be thinking about cancer. I don't feel sorry for myself. I get so much enjoyment out of it.

Jason Richards - 1976-2011
V8 driver Jason Richards dies aged 35
A life lived at full throttle


"I'm actually enjoying my racing more now than when it was fulltime. I'm doing it purely for fun, for my own emotional reasons," he said.

"I'm sucking the fun out of it. I'm just happy to be feeling like a normal heathy 35-year-old with two lovely kids and a great wife ... For me, my clarity is racing a car. It's so refreshing. If I can inspire people who have what's happening for me, that's a real positive."

[harrybarracuda]

Very sad, he's raced in the sandpit a few times, great stuff to watch.

No age at all, is it?

[Sailing into trouble]

Don't know the guy, but you always ask why so young! Same with all the kids who get it. Shitty age to go.

At least he lived till he died.

[nigelandjan]

Dear oh dear RIP young man ,, another lesson to all of us , make the most of every day

[bobo746]

Doesn't take long once the big C grabs you.

R.I.P.

[peterpan]

Nice young guy and a credit to his country.