The world of motorsport has lost a pioneer and true great with the passing of Sir Jack Brabham. The three time F1 world champion died peacefully at his home on the Gold Coast this morning.
Sir Jack was 88 years old and leaves behind his wife Lady Margaret and three sons, Geoff, Gary and David and their families.
Brabham’s first two world championships were won in 1959 and 1960 at the wheel of rear-engined a Cooper-Climax. It marked the end for front-engined cars which had previously dominated the sport.
In late 1960, in partnership with Ron Tauranac, he formed the Brabham Racing Organisation and the pair designed and built their own cars. In 1966 Sir Jack secured his third world title driving the Brabham BT19 making him the first and only man to win an F1 title in his own car.
When interviewed in 2012 Sir Jack described this as his most satisfying title. “It was effectively Australia against the rest of the world, and to win with that package and group of people behind it was a huge thrill,” he said.
The following year Denny Hulme won the world championship with Brabham. The team collected constructors’ titles in 1966 and 1967 as well.
Tauranac bought out Brabham’s share of the team in 1971 before selling the team in full to Bernie Ecclestone in 1972. Under Eccelstone’s ownership Nelson Piquet won drivers’ championships in 1981 and 1983.
Brabham was knighted for services to motorsport in 1978 and became the first racing driver to receive such an honour.
His racing legacy lived on with his sons and continues today with grandsons Matthew and Sam who are currently forging professional careers.
[Source: brabham.co.uk | Pic: LAT Photographic]
