164 replies to this topic

[Spaceframe]

Most have been said, but one impressive achievement hasn't been mentioned: Jack Brabham very rarely crashed, partly because he knew his limits and drove inside them, partly because he built his own cars, so his wheels never fell off.

 

And come to think of it, I don't remember he ever broke a simple bone in his body during his many years as a top class racing driver. Very unusual for that era 

Edited by Spaceframe, 17 June 2014 - 12:33.

[ReWind]

What about his accident in testing in mid-1969?

[Spaceframe]

What about his accident in testing in mid-1969?

I wasn't aware of an accident testing in 1969. Can you enlighten me?

[ReWind]

Between the Dutch and French GPs Jack did some tyre testing in Silverstone. He crashed and broke his left ankle.

Wait a minute and I will give you more details.

 

EDIT:

Alan Henry: Brabham. The Grand Prix Cars; 1985, p. 85

 

Brabham was powering through Club Corner when BT26/2 suddenly snapped into a vicious understeer and charged into the earth bank on the outside of the circuit. The front left-hand corner was badly distorted and a dazed Brabham found himself trapped by his left ankle, initially unable to switch off the ignition and the fuel pump as the instrument panel had also been badly buckled in the impact. Jack recalls it seemingly took an age before help arrived and it was extremely off-putting to be trapped in the cockpit watching a tell-tale stain grow larger on the ground surrounding the wrecked BT26 as the contents of the fuel tanks began to seep out. It would have only needed a single spark...

 

 

There are some pictures showing Jack with his left ankle in plaster and hobbling round on crutches.

 

British GP

 

German GP

 

He was back in the cockpit for the Italian Grand Prix.

Edited by ReWind, 18 June 2014 - 14:05.

[Spaceframe]

Between the Dutch and French GPs Jack did some tyre testing in Slverstone. He crashed and broke his left ankle.

Wait a minute and I will give you more details.

Thanks!

 

Now I do recall that only 13 cars started the 69 GP at Clermont-Ferrand. Not among them Brabham, and he didn't appear at Silverstone or the Ring either. I've always assumed it was due to retirement plans, like in 65, when he didn't conpete in three GPs, expecting to have Gurney and Hulme as his drivers in 66. Likewise I assumed his "comeback" at Monza in 69 was due to Ickx leaving for Ferrari and Rindt staying at Lotus for 1970 (incidentally my first F1 season).

[2F-001]

I missed out twice on seeing Jack Brabham drive at Silverstone (although I did get to see him perform elsewhere); first his non-participation in the '69 GP, as discussed above, and at the '70 International Trophy: we only went to the second practice day that year and Jack was away shuttling between Matra duty at Monza and F1 Silverstone.

[Wirra]

...: Jack Brabham very rarely crashed, ...

 

Discussed here:

 

http://forums.autosp...off/?hl=brabham

[Spaceframe]

Discussed here:

 

http://forums.autosp...off/?hl=brabham

Thanks - that's a 59 crash caused by a backmarker and crashes in 69 and 70 caused by tyre failures. All causes beyond his control. Very impressive   

[Ray Bell]

The 'prize jumping' exhibition at Warwick Farm in 1968 wasn't anyone else' fault...

And if you watch the video of that race you'll see an incredible escape under brakes for Creek trying to pass Gardner.

[cooper997]

The following feature was published nearly 60 years ago in Australian magazine, Modern Motor. Reading this, it's amazing Jack survived his early 20s!

 

picture uploader

 

image hosting site

 

screengrab

 

upload image online

 

Stephen

[RW7]

Between the Dutch and French GPs Jack did some tyre testing in Silverstone. He crashed and broke his left ankle.

Wait a minute and I will give you more details.

 

EDIT:

Alan Henry: Brabham. The Grand Prix Cars; 1985, p. 85

 

 

 

There are some pictures showing Jack with his left ankle in plaster and hobbling round on crutches.

 

British GP

 

German GP

 

He was back in the cockpit for the Italian Grand Prix.

 

Note the tie worn at the British GP. Ever the gentleman...

[D-Type]

Note the tie worn at the British GP. Ever the gentleman...

I wonder:  Did you need a tie to be admitted to the BRDC clubhouse?

[RW7]

I wonder:  Did you need a tie to be admitted to the BRDC clubhouse?

 

Good point, but the tutle neck at the German GP was pretty classy too!

[Spa65]

Most have been said, but one impressive achievement hasn't been mentioned: Jack Brabham very rarely crashed, partly because he knew his limits and drove inside them, partly because he built his own cars, so his wheels never fell off.

 

I was at the Race of the Champions at Brands Hatch in 1970. Brabham's car failed out on the circuit during practice and he was interviewed live over the tannoy system when he got back to the pits. He said a wheel came off, bounced and lodged up a tree. He got out of the damaged car and walked back to the tree, whereupon the offending wheel fell down, narrowly missing him.

 

But I guess his record in that respect is somewhat better than Chapman's.

[RW7]

Good point, but the tutle neck at the German GP was pretty classy too!

 

 ....er....that was "turtle" neck.

 

Damned incompetent one - finger typist!