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 Post subject: Farewell, Jack Brabham
PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 6:53 pm 
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Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:53 pm
Posts: 14779
Location: CT
Another of my teenage heroes has died.

During the 1960s, Australian (Sir) 'Jack' Brabham designed and built his own F-1 race cars, which he used to win three World Driver's Championships.

Brabham began his career as a dirt-track racer Down Under, so he became comfortable speeding along at 100 mph with the tail end of his race car sliding sideways thru turns. Other drivers fought hard to prevent that from happening on asphalt, but Brabham was happy as a clam while sliding his F-1 rear-engine cars thru the turns at 140mph. He was a real thrill to watch.

I've met him, shaken his hand (both at Watkins Glen) and have pictures of several of the cars he built.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Brabham

Altho he was 3 time World Champion and achieved scores of outright wins on the world's toughest circuits, Sir Jack never, ever, did well here in the USA. In fact, he never got a podium finish here. The US Grand Prix was first raced at Sebring, where Jack earned his reputation for breaking the rear wheels of his race car free and sliding tight corners, then later at the (old 3.2mile) Watkins Glen course.

He either DNF'd or finished 4th (many times), but I don't think he ever won a single race the the USA, even during his championship years. He was great fun to watch tho, and an outstanding driver. Jack was a hulking big man, accustomed to farm work and brutish mechanical labor. He was often sullen and other drivers just didn't mess with him. He was blunt and direct and his managers encouraged him to soften up a bit and expand his gentlemanly skills. He worked on it. Following retirement he was Knighted by the Queen, bestowed the Order of Australia (OA) and Order of the British Empire (OBE) and the title Sir.

Farewell, Sir Jack. Thanks for the memories. You now go to join the dozen other racing heroes of my youth.

Frank

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