Following on from the very sad news overnight of the death at the age of 88 years young of the legendary Sir Jack Brabham we’ve received a number of emails from readers and contributors – Here are just couple of moment from his astonishing career that you may not have known about.
While Jack Brabham was primarily associated with his Formula 1 exploits, he was also a successful sportscarcar builder and racer. One of his last races was in a Group C Porsche 956 at the Melbourne’s Sandown Park circuit for the final round of the 1984 World Endurance Championship, writes Mark Cole.
Brought out of retirement by Rothmans Porsche at the age of 58 to share the #56 camera car (a Richard Lloyd car in Rothmans colours) with Johnny Dumfries, Sir Jack – as he already was then – had his first taste of ground effects, and despite the Australian summer heat thoroughly enjoyed the experience for two hours of the six-hour race.
The fourth Rothmans car – as well as the two regular factory entries, which finished their usual 1-2 for Bellof/Bell and Mass/Ickx, there was a third car for local heroes Vern Schuppan and Alan Jones – made as more stops to change video tapes than it did to refuel, so was never a contender.
The pairing of a Australian knight and a young Scottish earl made Fleet Street sports headlines, and garnered important publicity for the WEC and of course for Rothmans, for whom I was motorsport press officer in those days. I had met up with Sir Jack many times since then, and he always recalled his Day in the Park with great affection!
(photo Malcolm Bryan)
Perhaps even more amazing is the post this morning on the VLN Facebook page that reminds readers that Sir Jack made one-off guest appearance in the VLN back in 1998 – together with fellow Aussies Ross Palmer and Melinda Price the trio pedalled a VW Beetle at the 6h race managed 32 laps and even landed on the second spot in Group A! With a lap in 10:37,67 Jack (wholly unsurprisingly) drove the fastest lap of the three pilots – pics below copyright and with thanks to VLN.
“The last time I was at the Nurburgring was in 1970 with Formula 1,” Sir Jack recalled post race, “since then, has not much has changed but this gave me the chance to enjoy the circuit for the first time in my life.”
