8 replies to this topic

[sandy]

In his report on the 1964 French Grand Prix Jenks reports that Jack Brabham set the fastest lap only through anger resulting from a hot blooded duel with Graham Hill, racing for second place and that at the end of the race Jack went down to the BRM pits to have words with Graham.

Does anyone have any memories of this incident? Was it a heated discussion?

It must have been pretty rough out there that day. Any input would be appreciated.

[Mike Riedner]

Taken from GrandPrix.com:

At the start of the race Clark went into the lead with Gurney and Surtees chasing him. During the first lap McLaren spun to the back of the field. On the third lap Surtees dropped back with a split oil pipe and Graham Hill had a spin and so Clark and Gurney were left alone at the front with Brabham moving up into third. G Hill recovered from his spin and worked his way back up to fourth place by lap 24. Seven laps later Clark's engine failed him and so Gurney was left in the lead with Brabham a long way behind and G Hill closing fast on the Australian. On lap 37 Hill overtook Brabham but Jack stayed with him and the two were separated by less than a second at the finish. Brabham might have been frustrated but as Gurney had just won the team its first World Championship victory it was a good day for the team.

Not much about the struggle between Hill and Brabham though...

[KarlOakie Research]

HNMIII did not write the report in R&T for the event, but Mike Twite mentions that once GNH finally got past JAB, the closing laps saw a good bit of chopping, pushing, and shoving on the part of both as they battled for the second position. Most of the other reports in English mention the contest between the two as being very close, but in that bloodless style that generally leaves an impression of a clean, gentlemanly competition. Benard Cahier gives one the impression that Twite's version is the one to go with since there is the clear impression that The Red Mist had descended over the vision of the two gents....

[bill moffat]

I don't remember this one but do recall GH sharing some very terse words with Jochen Rindt during the Tasman series in ? '69. Once again, given the fact that they were team mates, someone might have an explanation.

[Roger Clark]

I read DSJ's report and it seems like a tough fight between two racers. Exactly what you'd expect of those two. I couldn't find the reference to Brabham and hill having words after the race.

there's no mention in Autosport nor Motor Racing, including Brabham's column.

[sandy]

I do not have the Motor Sport magazine to hand but recall clearly that the incident was mentioned; perhaps in the footnotes, which may be elsewhere in that particular magazine.

[oldtimer]

Ah, the days when two top drivers could set about each other without wheel banging or ramming into each other...

Pure nostalgia.

[eldougo]

From Grand Prix.By Mike Lang. Page 242.

" During the closing stages Gurney eased off and went on to give Brabham team theirfirst Championship Victory just as he had done for Porsche in 1962.Brabham,meanwhile had done all he could to FIND a way PAST the BRM (Hill) ,and his efforts included a new lap record but it was all to no avail and Hill(G) took secound place by 0.8sec."
Note in Practice Hill 2-12.1 sec .Brabham 2-11,8 sec.so i guess it was a very WIDE BRM that J.B. found a bit irrirating .And the thought of a 1-2 first win would be good news to Jack and Ron and good for sales$$$$$.

[Gary Davies]

Little to add but I was interested to note that David Hodges, within one paragraph, noted that Brabham's "engine was just a little off colour" and that "His only reward was the lap record (2min 11.4 sec on lap44)."

The old boy must have had his dander up! Sorry ... the old boys must have had their danders up!