The world
lost a treasure on May 19, 2014 as the Brabham family announced the passing of
the motorsports legend Sir Jack Brabham. The 3 time formula 1 world champion’s
memory will live on forever with the numerous contributions he made to the
sport and is considered a legend by every single person in every single
department of the sport and the industry.
Jack Brabham's three world championships were the
product of both his engineering expertise and driving skill. His first two
titles, in rear-engined Coopers he helped develop, confirmed the obsolescence
of front-engined Formula One cars. His third title, in a Brabham, made him the only
driver to become champion in a car of his own make. For his lifetime
achievements, which also included nurturing the talents of other notable
drivers and pioneering the business side of the sport, he became the first
Formula One driver to receive a knighthood.
Jack Brabham, whose final victory came
in the 1970 South African Grand Prix when he was 44, chose that season to
retire as a driver. The Brabham team was sold to Bernie Ecclestone and Jack
returned home to Australia, where he busied himself running a farm, a car
dealership and an aviation company, and helped his sons with their racing
careers. His contribution to British motorsport was officially recognised in
1985 and he became Sir Jack Brabham.
According to
the official website, Brabham had suffered from failing health for more than a
decade, having regular renal dialysis.
Sir Jack Brabham came up the hard way and conquered the world. Above all he remained a gentleman, always
humble and became a role model for many others in motor-sport.
Acclaimed as
a brilliant engineer, technological innovations brought about by the Brabham
team helped to shape the sport today. Through his partnership with Ron
Tauranac, over 500 Brabham race cars were built from the team's British Surrey
base in the 1960s alone, while the Brabham name continued in F1 for 30 years.
Although Jack
“Black Jack” Brabham scored his final win in the 1970 South African Grand Prix,
the legacy has continued with all three of his sons achieving their own global
success, while third generation drivers Matthew and Sam are building their own
notable racing careers.
On behalf of
the family, Jack's youngest son David said: "It's a very sad day for all
of us. My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 this morning.
He lived an incredible life, achieving more than anyone would ever dream of and
he will continue to live on through the astounding legacy he leaves
behind."
Some of the
many awards the world and his country showered him with are the title OBE
(officer of the order of the British Empire) and Australian of the year, was
knighted by Queen Elizabeth II 1978, inducted into the Sports Australia hall of
fame in 1985 and later in 2003 was elevated to his rightful status of Legend.
He achieved the Australian sports medal in 2000, in 2001, he was awarded the
Centenary Award by the Australian government as well as the title of AO in
2008, Brabham was inducted into the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame in 2011,
and was named a National Treasure in 2012.
Sir Jack is
survived by his wife, Lady Margaret, sons Geoff, Gary and David and their
families.
Picture and Input Courtesy: Brabham
official website and Formula 1 official website.