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Jack Brabham - 50 years on...


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#1 cooper997

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Posted 14 August 2009 - 07:24

Most TNFers will be more than aware that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Jack Brabham's first F1 Drivers' title and that of Cooper's first F1 Constructors title. Of course officially it isn't until Dec 12th when it is exactly 50 years since Bruce McLaren won his first GP at Sebring and where Jack secured 4th place, to take the title.

To get the celebrations underway, at 8pm this Monday on Australia's ABC 1 TV channel the regular 'Australian Story' program is devoted to our first and only triple World Champion. It should be a good program worth staying in to see or indeed taping.

For those enthusiasts outside of Oz, there should be a preview on the ABC website. That will probably have the full program after it goes to air - www.abc.net.au

If you miss it Monday, then it should be replayed on Saturday 22/8/09 at 12.30pm

Stephen

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#2 Gabrci

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Posted 14 August 2009 - 07:46

Great to see that he is still celebrated. His amazing achievements aside, he is the most charming and humble person.

#3 Wirra

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Posted 14 August 2009 - 08:22

Australian Story tends to focus on the person rather than their achievement and I wonder if it will be anything like the very gritty episode on Keith Miller shown a few months ago. It will be interesting to hear what the boys (and Betty, if she is still with us) have to say.

Sir Jack has been on the ABC's Talking Heads - even repeats. That show was aimed at a broad market so not too much technical stuff.

http://www.abc.net.a...xt/s2296230.htm

David Lord also interviewed him not so long ago on 'Green and Gold Greats' on ABC News Radio, but there doesn't appear to be a podcast available.

Edited by Wirra, 14 August 2009 - 09:01.


#4 Giraffe

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Posted 14 August 2009 - 08:24

Posted Image
By giraffe138, shot with NIKON D2Xs at 2009-03-24

#5 cooper997

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Posted 17 August 2009 - 10:49

Jack Brabham's 'Australian Story' TV programme has just gone to air. It was enjoyable to watch. Probably just the fact that 30 minutes wasn't enough time to tell his story. A bit too short and sweet, and clearly more footage was left on the cutting room floor, so to speak.

There was snippetts of interviews with Stirling Moss, Murray Walker, Phil Kerr, Alan Jones, Lady Brabham and Geoff Brabham.

Bruce McLaren came up on several occasions, as teammate, car builder and ultimately his accident. There was also snippets from a 1966 edition of ABC's long running 'Four Corners' programme. Wouldn't it be great to see that in it's entirety

Should be available as a broadband edition now - www.abc.net.au or will be replayed on Saturday at 12.30pm for Aussies.

Stephen

#6 Ian G

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Posted 17 August 2009 - 11:19

Very interesting,i agree they could have filled an hour without any trouble,sad to see he has Kidney disease, prognosis for the elderly is not encouraging. Good to see Ian Lees in the final shots(Phillip Island?), played the ocassional game of golf with him when he had the Toyota dealerships at Ballina, then Tweed Heads,and very interesting guy to talk to.



#7 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 17 August 2009 - 12:17

I thought that Alan Jones was very eloquent in his praise. And Jonesy has never really been the most diplomatic person.

#8 Gary C

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Posted 17 August 2009 - 12:22

'Probably just the fact that 30 minutes wasn't enough time to tell his story.'
Is that all??

#9 Gary Davies

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Posted 17 August 2009 - 12:59

I thought that Alan Jones was very eloquent in his praise. And Jonesy has never really been the most diplomatic person.


He hasn't been has he! I'm given to understand that he tried to persuade the organisers of the Australian Grand Prix to mark Black Jack's achievement at the 2009 race in Melbourne.

They didn't... and one was quite unsurprised. :evil:

Edited by Gary Davies, 04 April 2010 - 08:53.


#10 Wirra

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Posted 17 August 2009 - 21:36

For others like me who missed it, a download available here:

http://www.abc.net.a...ers/default.htm

Edited by Wirra, 21 August 2009 - 11:34.


#11 Ian G

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Posted 18 August 2009 - 00:07

Earlier ABC Story..


Jack Brabham-George Negus

JB-Negus-2003

Edited by Ian G, 18 August 2009 - 00:13.


#12 johnny yuma

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 11:00

Jack was bigger than his fame---and his fame ain't small.Fangio is not too well remembered for his pre-war racing in rally/hotrods in mountainous Argentina,Stirling Moss a bit better so for Mille Miglia, but who knows of Jack Brabham the speedway winner and Round Australia Rally competitor--before he went to Europe ? In particular,tearing the front cross member out of a 1953 Holden in a semidesert South Australia dry wadi ,hitching back to the last grazing sheep station and getting welding gear to the car, wrangling the front end and sump back to functional ,and on the road !! Can't imagine an F1 world champ doing that today !!

Edited by johnny yuma, 21 August 2009 - 11:05.


#13 Jerry Entin

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 12:52

Wirra: Thank you very much for the link.

This of course is a great story about an equally great and deserving Father and racing driver and Racing Constructor.

Not to mention World Champion.

#14 Ray Bell

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 13:02

His earlier book tells that story as it happened in the north of WA, actually...

He says it was the biggest oxy bottle he ever saw, the crossmember having been torn out on a rock uprooted from the 'road' by the diff of Tom Sulman's Humber. He had a fairly significant oil leak from the repaired sump too, a good cause for us to be glad we have Silastic today!

#15 stevewf1

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 14:28

His earlier book tells that story as it happened in the north of WA, actually...

He says it was the biggest oxy bottle he ever saw, the crossmember having been torn out on a rock uprooted from the 'road' by the diff of Tom Sulman's Humber. He had a fairly significant oil leak from the repaired sump too, a good cause for us to be glad we have Silastic today!


One of the two best books I have ever read - on any subject... Graham Hill's "Life at the Limit" is the other one.




#16 Ray Bell

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 14:35

You obviously haven't read A Boot Full of Right Arms then...

That's a book you simply can't put down!

#17 stevewf1

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Posted 21 August 2009 - 14:56

You obviously haven't read A Boot Full of Right Arms then...

That's a book you simply can't put down!


Haven't seen that one. I'll look it up.



#18 eldougo

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Posted 06 September 2009 - 01:11

This was in last saturdays paper, re the closing of Oran Park....(guess who is the guy leaning up against the trailer in the overalls).

http://img181.images...1/404/imgyc.jpg



#19 275 GTB-4

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 03:46

Pictured at Surfers Paradise street circuit 16 Oct 09 QLD Australia.

Sir Jacks grandson circulated several times in the (replica) T51 and recreated the push across the line. All in all, a nice touch at a predominantly V8 Supercar meeting (once the A1GPs no-showed).

Cooper Climax T51 1960

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Repco Brabham BT11 1965

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Edited by 275 GTB-4, 27 October 2009 - 03:47.


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#20 Dick Willis

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 04:24

Not a replica Mick but a genuine article, Peter Harburgs T51, the 1961 AGP winning car driven by Lex Davison. There is a good article about this car in this month's Unique Cars, Alex Davison, Lex's grandson drove it at Lakeside and thought it was pretty good, only blemish in the article was that the owner was said to be Don Thallon, not Peter Harburg. Peter also owns the Brabham shown in the above pics.

#21 Ray Bell

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 06:29

Originally posted by eldougo
This was in last Saturday's paper, re the closing of Oran Park....(guess who is the guy leaning up against the trailer in the overalls).

http://img181.images...1/404/imgyc.jpg


Not you, Douglas?

This should just about be the cue for John to post his pic of the original car with the original driver...

#22 eldougo

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 08:11

Iam still waiting..

#23 kaydee

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 10:27

Gray Chandler has passed this photo on to me for posting and this seems the most appropriate thread.
Taken somewhere in NZ it shows some "open wheel" action with Jack covering an attempted inside pass by Bruce McLaren.
Posted Image

Photograph courtesy of Glen Gray, Vintage & Historic Karts of Australia.


#24 Ray Bell

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Posted 27 October 2009 - 10:43

I'm sure I've seen that pic before...

Was it in RCN?

#25 275 GTB-4

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Posted 01 November 2009 - 02:46

Not a replica Mick but a genuine article, Peter Harburgs T51, the 1961 AGP winning car driven by Lex Davison. There is a good article about this car in this month's Unique Cars, Alex Davison, Lex's grandson drove it at Lakeside and thought it was pretty good, only blemish in the article was that the owner was said to be Don Thallon, not Peter Harburg. Peter also owns the Brabham shown in the above pics.


Hi Dick...I certainly didn't mean that the T51 was a replica but I was given to understand that it had been dressed-up as Jacks car...therefore, "replica" (stand by for all the long winded definitions of replica!) Cheers, Mick

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 01 November 2009 - 02:47.


#26 Ray Bell

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Posted 01 November 2009 - 03:26

I think Dick Willis is saying it's the actual Brabham car...

Stillwell loaned it to Davison at Mallala and Davison had a lucky day there.

#27 ken devine

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Posted 01 November 2009 - 05:51

Sir Jack is coming to WA for the Caversham festival on Nov 15th , the infield of the D circuit is being preserved
and will be called the Sir Jack Brabham Reserve. While there will be no actual racing on the day there will be an
Autokana, car club displays and parade laps by car clubs also bus tours of the circuit,when the powers that be see
the importance of this circuit they will not detroy it.


#28 Dick Willis

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Posted 01 November 2009 - 09:25

I think Dick Willis is saying it's the actual Brabham car...

Stillwell loaned it to Davison at Mallala and Davison had a lucky day there.


Ray, I wasn't saying it was the actual Brabham car, Mick said it was a replica in his post and I was trying to point out that it was a Cooper with a genuine Australian racing history, with Stillwell and Davison etc.

#29 cooper997

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Posted 12 December 2009 - 04:39

Today (12/12/09) represents two milestones worth celebrating.

It's 50 years ago (to the day) since Jack Brabham took out his first of three FI Drivers' Championships. Having literally pushed his Cooper-Climax to 4th place at Sebring's season-ending 1959 United States GP meeting.

The other milestone being that Bruce McLaren won the same race in his Cooper. His first Grand Prix win and the beginning of what would became one of motor racing's best known brands.

Sir Jack I salute you, and Bruce your memory lives on.


Stephen

#30 Terry Walker

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Posted 12 December 2009 - 07:28

Sir Jack at Caversham, 15 November 2009. There was quite a crush so I stood well back.

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#31 ken devine

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Posted 12 December 2009 - 09:08

Sir Jack at Caversham, 15 November 2009. There was quite a crush so I stood well back.

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You got me in that shot Terry dark green shirt.

#32 nivola

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Posted 12 December 2009 - 13:55

To add to terry's image.

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Edited by nivola, 12 December 2009 - 13:56.


#33 Jop Zwart

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Posted 12 December 2009 - 15:28

The "old" man as he walked to his car before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix in 1966 and won the race.
Wonderful man and a great personality.

A warm salute to him.

Jop

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#34 Valiant 273 Commando

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Posted 13 December 2009 - 02:27

Congrats Jack!
Great but modest man.

#35 Jager

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Posted 13 December 2009 - 11:09

I couldn't get to the Caversham meeting, but a mate was kind enough to take along my model of Jack's 1957 Le Mans Cooper Monaco which he kindly signed :

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Edited by Jager, 13 December 2009 - 11:10.


#36 nivola

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Posted 13 December 2009 - 23:14

Tim did a good thing for you Jager. He was in his element

#37 gm914

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Posted 02 April 2010 - 17:46

Happy Birthday, Sir Jack! :clap:

84 & strong today :up:

#38 eldougo

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Posted 03 April 2010 - 00:02

Happy 84th for yesterday.Sir John Arthur Brabham. :up:

#39 JimBradshaw

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Posted 03 April 2010 - 07:30

I couldn't get to the Caversham meeting, but a mate was kind enough to take along my model of Jack's 1957 Le Mans Cooper Monaco which he kindly signed :

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Sir Jack and Ian Raby drove a Bobtail Cooper at Le Mans 1957..not a Monaco

JB

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#40 Terry Walker

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Posted 03 April 2010 - 10:52

This is one of the best-known photos of Jack in his pre-UK racing days: a publicity photo commissioned by Redex and handed out to the press and no doubt, autographed, to many fans.

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Edited by Terry Walker, 03 April 2010 - 10:52.


#41 Amaroo Park

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Posted 04 April 2010 - 04:53

Happy 84th for yesterday.Sir John Arthur Brabham. :up:


Here here and many more Sir Jack :clap:

#42 ken devine

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Posted 04 April 2010 - 06:37

1962 Agp.Happy Birthday Sir Jack








URL=http://img256.imageshack.us/i/126brabham.jpg/]Posted Image[/URL]





#43 arttidesco

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Posted 21 July 2010 - 18:22

Looks like Kimi Raikkoenen is not the only F1 Ice Cream fan :-)

#44 T54

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Posted 21 July 2010 - 19:07

May 2011 will not only be the 100th anniversary of the first Indy 500, but the 50th anniversary of Sir Jack and John Cooper throwing a wrench into the Indy establishment.
Maybe something that should also be celebrated?

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#45 kayemod

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Posted 21 July 2010 - 19:32

Looks like Kimi Raikkoenen is not the only F1 Ice Cream fan :-)


As far as Black Jack was concerned, a major attraction of F1 was the lolly.


#46 arttidesco

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Posted 21 July 2010 - 22:51

As far as Black Jack was concerned, a major attraction of F1 was the lolly.


I seem to remember Kimi got a small lorry load of lolly for going on Gardening Leave this year :-)

I wonder if Indy is cognizant of the 50th anniversary of the rear engined revolution hard to imagine with there love of pageantry they will over look Black Jacks contribution.

Goodwood F o S is sure to include some reminder of Black Jack at Indy :-)

Edited by arttidesco, 21 July 2010 - 22:51.


#47 raceannouncer2003

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Posted 22 July 2010 - 05:45

Just over 50 years ago, he won the British GP.

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Vince H.

#48 Barry Boor

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Posted 22 July 2010 - 07:52

I hope Graham isn't steaming along the track towards him, Vince!

#49 Doug Nye

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Posted 22 July 2010 - 07:54

Talked to Jack last week. Says he's in good shape apart from his "boring" dialysis programme - and he was plainly firing on all cylinders. He's very pleased to see Mark Webber doing so well, although "It's taken him long enough...".

Not at all still competitive, then...

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 22 July 2010 - 07:56.


#50 Giraffe

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Posted 22 July 2010 - 07:58

Well if Mark is anything like Jack, he should still be challenging for the title in the 2019 season!