He spent the next few years using his background as a flight mechanic in the
Royal Australian Air Force turning it into a competitive force.
In the hands of his team-mate, American Dan Gurney, Brabham had its first
victory at Rouen in 1964. The man himself had to wait until the French Grand
Prix at Reims in 1966 to become the first driver in history to win a race in
his own car. Further victories in 1966 and a third world championship
followed.
Particularly in the modern era, this is a record which is likely to never be
broken. It is one of many reasons why F1 luminaries such as Ron Dennis, the
McLaren boss, and Sir Stirling Moss, hold “Black Jack” in such high regard.
“The word ‘legend’ is often used to describe successful sportsmen, but
often it exaggerates their status,” Dennis said in his tribute. “In the case
of Sir Jack Brabham, however, it’s entirely justified.
“A three-time Formula 1 world champion, he remains the only driver to win
a Formula 1 world championship driving a car bearing his own name – a unique
achievement that will surely never be matched.
“When I started out in Formula 1 in the late 1960s, I worked first for
Cooper and then for Brabham. Even as a callow youth, I could recognise
greatness when I saw it, and I’ll always regard it as an honour and a
privilege to have worked for Sir Jack. I learned a lot from him too.
“So, on behalf of all at McLaren, I’d like to pay tribute to one of the
most illustrious names in motor racing history, and above all to extend
heartfelt condolences to Sir Jack’s widow Margaret and his three sons Geoff,
David and Gary.”
Brabham’s team won the constructors’ championship in 1966, and again in 1967.
Through his partnership with fellow Australian Ron Tauranac, more than 500
Brabham race cars were built from the team’s British Surrey base in the
1960s alone, while the Brabham name continued in Formula One for 30 years.
For all his achievements, Brabham has often been a driver somewhat overlooked
when the true greats of F1 are judged. After Juan Manuel Fangio, he was the
second driver to win three drivers’ titles. His record brought him praise
from his British rival Sir Stirling Moss, who acknowledged his “natural
sportsmanship”.
“On track he was always the toughest of tough competitors, tough
sometimes to the point at which I’d wonder how could such a nice bloke out
of a car grow such horns and a tail inside one,” Sir Stirling wrote in
his foreword to “The Jack Brabham Story” in 2004.
“You’d always know when Jack was on a charge because he’d crouch down and
almost disappear within the cockpit. Tail-out, broadsiding, showering me
with gravel and tuffets from the verge.
“Dear me, you could take the Aussie out of the dirt tracks but you
couldn’t take the dirt tracks out of the Aussie. But the greater side of
Jack’s character was always his natural sportsmanship.”
Australian Mark Webber, who retired from Formula One at the end of last year,
also paid tribute.
“I was saddened to hear the news of Jack’s passing today – he is the epitome
of a champion racing driver and a true blue Aussie,” Webber said. “He was a
trailblazer; he took the hardest road and made it easier for the rest of us
to follow. When I think of Jack, I think of a tenacious individual; an
absolute grafter; he did it his own way and made it stick.
“There were no real rules or a manual for Jack; he figured it for himself.
What he achieved taking on the best in the world and winning one of his
three world titles in his own machinery is the stuff of pure legends.
“On a personal note, Jack was simply the biggest name in the Webber household.
He was inspirational.”
He raced in 126 grands prix, winning 14 races and taking pole position 13
times.
After retirement Brabham sold his team to Bernie Ecclestone, and went on to be
the first F1 driver to be given a knighthood, in 1979.
Sir Jack’s youngest son David, who raced in Formula One himself, paid tribute
to his father on behalf of the Brabham family.
“It’s a very sad day for all of us,” he said. “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.”