Sir Jack Brabham, dead at 88 years

ChrisBlair · 05-20-2014, 06:52 PM

First man to be knighted for contribution to motorsport. Multiple driver's championships, constructor's championships. Sir Jack passed away peacefully at home, aged 88, on 19 MAY 2014.

Well into his '70s, Sir Jack was still piloting serious machinery around race tracks. He retired from F1 at age 44. The world is a worse place for his passing in my opinion, but a better one for having him in it at all.

Talented Engineer, racing driver and team owner. F1 and racing overall owes a debt to Sir Jack Brabham.

May you rest in peace, Black Jack Brabham. He surely is in Heaven, because he was there quicker than the Devil knew he was dead!

http://www.jackbrabham.com/

cornerspeed92 · 05-20-2014, 07:53 PM

Thanks for posting, i didn't hear this.

MLL67RSSS · 05-22-2014, 06:22 AM

Brought the very first rear engine race car (His slightly modified championship '60 F1 car) to the Indianapolis 500 in 1961 and finished 9th. The beginning of the end to the big-engine in front roadsters. A true innovator, RIP Jack.

http://allamericanracers.com/revolut...-indianapolis/

"The modern Indy roadster had evolved after World War II into a deceptively sophisticated device, brutally fast on the high speed Indy oval. Racing exclusively on ovals, the cars were very asymmetrical and unsuited for all but a few tracks. During the late fifties the cars even went head-to-head with the best of Formula One at the Monza War of the Worlds.

The results there were lopsided victories for the specialized oval racers from America. A few years later, in 1961, reigning World Champion Jack Brabham brought the first modern rear-engined "funny-car" to America. Although horribly underpowered by speedway standards, his little Cooper-Climax was amazingly quick through the turns - faster than any roadster, quick enough to finish the race in ninth place.

In 1962 a few others, including Mickey Thompson, tried their hands at the rear-engined cars. Thompson's lead car was driven by road racing star Dan Gurney in his Indy rookie year. Like many of Thompson's cars it was very adventurous in design, but it was also hastily built and contained too many flaws to achieve the desired result. The result of Gurney's participation, though, was profound and set into motion events that would forever change Indycar racing. Gurney's European racing experience was extensive and he knew first-hand the capabilities of the chassis builders. Gurney also knew the capabilities of the various American automakers. Simultaneously he approached both Colin Chapman at Lotus and the folks at Ford Motor Company. It was Gurney who saw a match between the premier Formula One chassis builder and the American giant looking to make its mark in racing."

05-20-2014, 06:52 PM	#1
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	Sir Jack Brabham, dead at 88 years First man to be knighted for contribution to motorsport. Multiple driver's championships, constructor's championships. Sir Jack passed away peacefully at home, aged 88, on 19 MAY 2014. Well into his '70s, Sir Jack was still piloting serious machinery around race tracks. He retired from F1 at age 44. The world is a worse place for his passing in my opinion, but a better one for having him in it at all. Talented Engineer, racing driver and team owner. F1 and racing overall owes a debt to Sir Jack Brabham. May you rest in peace, Black Jack Brabham. He surely is in Heaven, because he was there quicker than the Devil knew he was dead! http://www.jackbrabham.com/ __________________

05-20-2014, 07:53 PM	#2
cornerspeed92 Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,188 View My Garage	Thanks for posting, i didn't hear this. __________________

05-22-2014, 06:22 AM	#3
MLL67RSSS Account Suspended Drives: car Join Date: May 2008 Location: location Posts: 1,569	Brought the very first rear engine race car (His slightly modified championship '60 F1 car) to the Indianapolis 500 in 1961 and finished 9th. The beginning of the end to the big-engine in front roadsters. A true innovator, RIP Jack. http://allamericanracers.com/revolut...-indianapolis/ "The modern Indy roadster had evolved after World War II into a deceptively sophisticated device, brutally fast on the high speed Indy oval. Racing exclusively on ovals, the cars were very asymmetrical and unsuited for all but a few tracks. During the late fifties the cars even went head-to-head with the best of Formula One at the Monza War of the Worlds. The results there were lopsided victories for the specialized oval racers from America. A few years later, in 1961, reigning World Champion Jack Brabham brought the first modern rear-engined "funny-car" to America. Although horribly underpowered by speedway standards, his little Cooper-Climax was amazingly quick through the turns - faster than any roadster, quick enough to finish the race in ninth place. In 1962 a few others, including Mickey Thompson, tried their hands at the rear-engined cars. Thompson's lead car was driven by road racing star Dan Gurney in his Indy rookie year. Like many of Thompson's cars it was very adventurous in design, but it was also hastily built and contained too many flaws to achieve the desired result. The result of Gurney's participation, though, was profound and set into motion events that would forever change Indycar racing. Gurney's European racing experience was extensive and he knew first-hand the capabilities of the chassis builders. Gurney also knew the capabilities of the various American automakers. Simultaneously he approached both Colin Chapman at Lotus and the folks at Ford Motor Company. It was Gurney who saw a match between the premier Formula One chassis builder and the American giant looking to make its mark in racing." Attached Images