10 replies to this topic

[MaTT2799]

I have never actually managed to find any pictures of the BT51, but I presume some exist. I would be very grateful if anyone could oblige. Also, if anyone has the Arrows that ran in January 1983 with the nosecone on the front suspension, that would be magnificent too .

- MaTT

[dolomite]

I remember seeing a picture of it in a magazine once. It was essentially a BT50 with smaller fuel tank and lower engine cover, which made it look almost identical to the BT49.

[Felix Muelas]

From Alan Henry´s "Brabham- The Grand Prix Cars" Osprey 1985



"The car that never raced. Looking for all the world like a BT49C, this is the ground effect pit stop BT 51 prototype which Murray and his colleagues produced towards the end of 1982, accepting Ecclestone´s assurances that ground effect aerodynamics would still be permitted in 1983. The came the FISA´s rule change which demanded flat bottoms for 1983 - so Murray just scrapped this concept and started all over again to build the BT 52..."

[MaTT2799]

Thankyou Felix, and also thankyou for your answer dolomite . Yes, it does look very similar to the BT 49, and not half as beautiful as the BT 52.

[Felix Muelas]

Originally posted by MaTT2799
...the Arrows that ran in January 1983 with the nosecone on the front suspension...

You mean with a WING attached to the front suspension?

Felix

[Dracula]

Another two pics of Brabham BT51




Big thanks for photos to Kvadrat and 2vv from one Russian historical forum!!!

[MaTT2799]

Thank you Dracula . Oh, and Felix - yes . Sorry, my brain runs like a Honda V10 sometimes, high action for half the time but if pushed too hard it explodes .

[dolomite]

Looking through some old copies of Grand Prix International today I found these pictures from testing at Paul Ricard in November 1982, showing the BT51 running in flat bottomed form:

[canon1753]

Why (2 pictures back) is the Brabham running Avons? I know that in 1982 they ran Goodyears and in 1983 they ran Michelins. Why would they run Avons in a test (unless Bernie was using up the stock of Avon F1 tires he was stuck with)?

[ghinzani]

Originally posted by canon1753
Why (2 pictures back) is the Brabham running Avons? I know that in 1982 they ran Goodyears and in 1983 they ran Michelins. Why would they run Avons in a test (unless Bernie was using up the stock of Avon F1 tires he was stuck with)?

Thru his owning of IRTS with J-F Mosnier?

[gdecarli]

I have just posted a pic on tbk.fameflame.dk - F1 Testings Pics.

Brabham BT51 (but Autosprint called it BT52/2) made its debut at Le Castellet / Paul Ricard on November 22nd 1982 driven by Piquet (72 laps, best 1'08"10 on short circuit). On that day he tested Avon tyres, then he (and Patrese) went back to usual Michelin.

By the way, Brabham built three BT51 and they should have raced only the first three GP in 1983.

Ciao,
Guido

(from Autosprint 48/1982 - page 8)