Sir Jack Brabham to be celebrated at Goodwood Revival
Goodwood will honour another motoring legend at its famous Revival event, with the life and career of driver, engineer and innovator Sir Jack Brabham to be celebrated.
The announcement was made this week on what would have been Brabham’s 100th birthday, and the celebration in September will also mark the 60th anniversary of his third Formula 1 World Championship title.
The Australian’s F1 driving career ran from 1955 to 1970, with his third World Championship title in 1966 being a particular highlight. The 1966 title win was behind the wheel of a Brabham car — the team he co-founded in 1960 — and the feat has yet to be repeated by an F1 driver ever since. His work throughout the team spanned the engineering, team management and driver development sectors, helping reshape F1 as a sport. Brabham’s achievements were recognised in 1979, when he became the first F1 driver to receive a knighthood.
A total of 14 Grands Prix wins across 16 seasons contributed to World Championship titles for the Australian in 1959, 1960 and 1966, while the Brabham team won two Constructors’ titles in 1966 and 1967. Further driver’s titles for Brabham were achieved with Denny Hulme behind the wheel in 1967, and Nelson Piquet in 1981 and 1983.
Brabham after winning the 1966 Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort
credit: Eric Koch for Anefo
Track parade & Brabham’s connection to Goodwood
Around 50 cars from Brabham’s career will be part of a track parade across the weekend at Revival. Some of his championship-winning cars will ride alongside F1, touring and sports cars all bearing the Brabham name. The collection includes cars raced by Bruce McLaren, Dan Gurney, Denny Hulme, Graham Hill and Jochen Rindt up to 1970.
The early stages of Brabham’s career saw him test and race Cooper-Alta cars at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in the 1950s. He came back to West Sussex in 1966, winning a Formula 2 race and later returned for appearances at the Festival of Speed in 1996 and the reopening of the Circuit in 1998.
“It means a great deal to our family”
Goodwood will work closely with Brabham’s son David in the lead up to the event to ensure that the celebration is befitting of the family name.
David Brabham said: “My father, Sir Jack, achieved so much throughout his career, from winning his third Formula 1 Championship at the age of 40, to co-founding one of the most influential racing car manufacturers of its time. It means a great deal to our family to see his legacy honoured in this way at Goodwood Revival, especially with so many of his cars coming together. It’s been a joy working with The Duke and his team at Goodwood to bring the 60th anniversary celebration to life.”
Goodwood Revival will take place Friday 18 – Sunday 20 September.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Goodwood