Jack Brabham

Name: Jack Brabham

Nationality: Australia

Date of birth: April 2, 1926 - Hurstville, nr Sydney

One of motor racing's great practical heroes, Jack Brabham - Sir Jack from 1985 - had his down-to-earth efforts rewarded with three World Championships. Twice he took the title driving for Cooper and his third at the wheel of a car bearing his own name, an achievement which remains unmatched to this day. After cutting his teeth on the Australian national racing scene with an elderly Cooper-Bristol, Jack came to Britain in 1955 where he made his F1 debut in the Grand Prix at Aintree in a center-seat Cooper sports car. Thereafter his fortunes would be bound up with the Cooper team and, once he got into his stride, the rugged Brabham stormed to the 1959 and 60 World Championship titles. Brabham had a determined, heads-down, opposite-lock driving style which was supremely effective, even if his rivals found it overly aggressive. As Cooper's star faded, Brabham set up his own F1 operation in 1962 and would duly drive a Brabham-Repco V8 to his third title crown in 1966. He retired and sold his team at the end of 1970, having proved competitive in F1 to the very last.

He returned to Australia but remains involved in racing projects, notably as a partner in John Judd's Engine Developments. His three sons Geoff, Gary and David have all enjoyed successful racing career

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