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Your Story
Do you have a story that you would like to share with us, an experience that you have had with Sir Jack, a particular race or event or perhaps a memory that makes you smile?
Let us know all about it and we can add it to our website. We will fully reference all materials, including your photographs.
Contact us by clicking on "Contact Us" and selecting Email, or send us a fax or letter in the mail.
We look forward to hearing from you and posting your Story on this page along with the others already received.
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Great Aussie!
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Date Added: 3/6/2008
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My name is Scott Gordon I am 30 years old and a great fan of Sir Jack's. What a wonderful ambassador for Australian Motorsport he is and without a doubt Australia's greatest ever driver. His achievements which I believe rival Sir Donald Bradman's, sadly in this country, are too often forgotten. Back in 1996 when I was 17 years old, I wrote a letter to Sir Jack telling him how great I thought he was. To my surprise he wrote a letter back to me along with two signed posters of the 30th anniversary of his 3rd world title.
Since then I have witten to every alive F1 world champion in the hope of obtaining their autograph which I have had great success in doing so, however not one has taken the time to write a letter back to me.
In 2004 at OZ GP I had the absolute privilege of meeting this wonderful man, he was signing copies of his book: The Jack Brabham Story". I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with him and shake his hand (as below).
Sir Jack came across as such an unaffected, humble man and a gentleman. Before reading his book I knew he was great but my God, was he that good; the best driver/mechanic engineer ever!
I have also seen him at Bathurst in 1998 and 2002 which (correct me if I am wrong) was the 80th anniversary of Repco where he did a demonstration lap in the BT19.
I wish him all the best in health and happiness for his future and hope to see him at some Meet in the future.
Kind regards, Scott Gordon.
Thank you for your kind comments Scott - we agree that Sir Jack is a Great Aussie indeed!
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from Gergely Gabris, Budapest, Hungary
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Date Added: 26/5/2008
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I am aged 23 and I've been watching F1 ever since I can remember as my grandad was a big fan and I watched it with him from a very early age. I am very interested in engineering (completing university studies in computer technology) and Sir Jack is an obvious favourite for me, having been World Champion both as driver and as constructor.
The black and white photo is at the 1966 British GP and the other 1965 Belgium (not quite sure of the copyright).
I am pleased to hear that Sir Jack is well again - he is a wonderful man and I hope all his health worries are behind him now. I wish you and Sir Jack all the best. I never fail to be amazed how helpful Australian people always are.
Thanks Gergely, we love the photos!
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from Ken Devine, Western Australia
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Date Added: 9/3/2008
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Hi, I live in WA and have been following motorsport for many years. I took a lot of photos at local events which I now display at every opportunity as I like other people to enjoy the old photos. I don't know what I thought when I took this or any other photo - maybe the photos would be important history one day. The photos are now shown on a couple of website and I enjoy the comments on them. Regard Ken Devine.
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Speed on Tweed 2007
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Date Added: 13/9/2007
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Great to see so many vintage cars and enthusiastic fans of all ages who were lining up to meet Sir Jack. The Speed on Tweed organisers did a splendid job with one spectator commenting: "Where else, except Australia, could you see some fine examples of motor racing cars just sitting around in paddocks for all to see, close up?" Indeed we agree and a great weekend for all who attended.
Speed on Tweed has now been running for five years, is based at Murwillumbah, northern New South Wales and is a three day festival with one of the greatest displays of historic grand prix racing cars ever assembled in Australia. Thanks to Tania for looking after Sir Jack - even legends have to eat lunch!
The famous BT19 with its famous driver and constructor. It was also great to see Ron Tauranac attending Speed on Tweed as well - please see notes below.
Sir Jack being interviewed by Channel 10 Journalist. Sir Jack is wearing the black caps with the Brabham logo - he also signed so many of those posters we thought he would get writer's cramp. There were so many people who queued up just to shake his hand and say "Thanks for all you have done".
There are many highlights in a girl's life: marriage, giving birth and overseas travel. Although I live in hope of one day owning a shoe factory, this is the next best thing and a definite hightlight for me. The BT19 is owned by Repco but the "curator" is Nigel from Melbourne who very kindly helped me in and out of the car which is no mean feat! I could not understand why I wasn't given the keys which Nigel may have hidden from me. A very famous car which made history and this photo is one for my grandchildren. To you Nigel: many thanks from Gail Casey
The famous BT19 with "minders" although everyone had to chance to get up close to it and other cars displayed.
The 2007 Festival of Speed on Tweed had three icons of Australian motor sport - Sir Jack Brabham, Ron Tauranac and the world championship Repco Brabham, all together again after 40 years. Ron Tauranac is the man who awakened the world to Australian engineering talent in motor sport. An engineering perfectionist, he designed a string of winning monopostos, not least the Brabhams which won the 1966 and 1967 world championship. These cars were powered by Repco V8s developed in house by Repco in Melbourne, so it was a totally Australian Formula 1 victory which may never be repeated.
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Hope you feel better Sir Jack . . . from Brian Darby
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Date Added: 30/8/2007
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I have sent this photo for Sir Jack - it is his old car driven by Andrew Halliday last May at Bankstown, NSW.
The photo was taken by the Vintage Speed Car Association of NSW Club photographer, Rhys Crosskill.
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Automobile Restorers' Association, Gold Coast
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Date Added: 8/8/2007
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Good to see Sir Jack getting some sunshine after his recent illness and taking in some of the cars owned by members of the Automobile Restorers' Assocation: '38 Packard Limo, '77 LTD, '23 Model T, '55 Morris Minor, '68 Mini Cooper S, '51 Twin spinner Ford Custom.
The President, Terry sitting with Sir Jack in the back of his '38 Packard Limo - note the Tommy gun and hat!
The front of that magnificent car, Sir Jack, Alan Casey and Terry - probably trying to figure out how many miles to the gallon the limo would get! We understand the car was previously owned by the Resch family (Brewery company).
"One Cooper driver to another - what a thrill for me" . The photos are courtesy of Russ Hastings in front of his '68 Mini Cooper S. "Thank Sir Jack very much for the pleasure he has given me and the whole of Australasia and untold other countries of the world".
An update on the day in their newsletter "The Taleshaft" further states "Sir Jack told me how when the Mini was introduced in 1959 it turned the motoring world on its ear, never a car with performance and handling like it before. He knows his cars. He was still pretty sharp too, reeling off to Ken all the circuits in NZ that he raced on and there were quite a few. You know the expression 'lovely man', Well, that's him".
About the Club: The Automobile Restorers' Association of the Gold Coast have about 40 members and accept any make of car as long as it is over 30 years of age. They meet on the 4th Monday of the month in rooms at the Nerang PCYC at 7.45 pm and have regular Sunday and mid-week runs as well as occasional overnight weekend rallies to places such as Maleny, Murwillumbah, Ipswich and Grafton. Each year on the first Sunday of April they host a huge Gold Coast Super Swap at the Carrara Sports Complex. Last year they included a Show 'n Shine and a Hot Rod display for the first time.
Ken with Sir Jack in front of the '55 Morris Minor
You can email us here if you wish to be put in contact with the Club.
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This is a famous photo and here is Bob Ilich's Story
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Date Added: 4/4/2007
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The four team members in the photo are: Centre holding the flowers: Roy Billington (deceased) from New Zealand - Jack’s long standing Chief Mechanic the only team member to commence the 1966 Repco Brabham 3 litre V8 engine program.
Standing up in front of the transporter is Hughie Absolom from Wales – he came from Jack Brabham’s garage in Chessington for this 1966 Repco V8 program.
Standing in the doorway at the back is Cary Taylor from New Zealand.
Sitting on the step in front holding the magnum of champagne is me, Bob Ilich from Perth, Western Australia.
Both Cary Taylor and myself came from Jack Brabham Conversions in Woking, Surrey for the 1966 Repco V8 program.
Read more about this photo (what really happened with the magnum bottle of champagne) written by Bob Ilich by clicking on here: From Bob Ilich.pdf
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Bob Ilich's story about this photo
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Date Added: 4/4/2007
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This is the Brabham Racing Organisation Dennis Hulme 1967 World Championship winning team photo. It was taken at a celebration dinner for Dennis Hulme put on by Esso Petroleum (one of Jack’s main sponsors) and organized by their competitions manager, Mr Geoff Murdoch, held in London, 1967. The “original painting” on the easel was taken from a photo of Dennis Hulme’s F1 Repco Brabham V8 racing car flying through the air on one of the bumps at the 1967 Nurburgring Grand Prix which he won.
The nine team members, right to left, are: Jack Brabham (Australia), Ron Tauranac (Australia), Jack’s partner in Motor Racing Developments, John Judd (Rugby England) came from Coventry Climax to help with design work on Repco V8 engine program, Cary Taylor (New Zealand), Bob Ilich in front (Perth, Western Australia), Roy Billington (front) New Zealand Chief Mechanic, Dennis Hulme (back) New Zealand, Ian Lees (Melbourne, Australia) and John Muller (New Zealand).
Bob Ilich March 2007 ©
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Kind permission of Bob Ilich - BT21B
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Date Added: 4/4/2007
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The photo was taken in April, 1972 at Wanneroo Park Racing Circuit in Perth, Western Australia when Jack Brabham was in Perth on promotional work. I was asked if Jack could have a drive of my car at the Sunday race meeting.
Of course I said "yes" and was quite over whelmed with the idea. During my particular race I couldn't drive my car properly knowing Jack was watching!
The car is a 1967 Brabham BT21B with a rare Cosworth 1500 cc SCB single overhead cam gear driven engine (which was one of three pre-test engines leading up to the development of the FVA 1600 cc twin cam four valve engine). With Jack Brabham's help in selecting the Cosworth SCB engine, I purchased the brand new Brabham BT21B from Motor Racing Developments, run and owned by Ron Tauranac and Jack Brabham out of my percentage of the winnings, being one of the team members when Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme won both World Championships in 1966 and 1967 with the Repco Brabham 3 litre V8 engine cars.
I fulfilled all my boyhood dreams and with a lot of hard work I went on to win the Western Australian Road Racing F2 Championship in 1971 with the BT21B at Wanneroo Park.
Bob Ilich March 2007 ©
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Birthday Greetings!
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Date Added: 15/3/2007
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Sir Jack on his 81st birthday viewing the hard copies of birthday greetings shown below.
 
Happy Birthday to Sir Jack Brabham
My husband and I had the great honour and priviledge to meet Sir Jack Brabham at the recent Shannons Phillip Island Classic (9-11 March). When Sir Jack's charming companion asked if I would like to have my photograph taken with Sir Jack I literally leapt at the opportunity.
Although belated, very best birthday wishes to a Living Legend - may you have many, many more! from Michael and Valerie Rowe
Niki Auda, Norway
Happy birthday, Jack!    
 from a 
Hansje, Netherlands,
I hope I will be 81 years old too one day...I will sign for it
And still play GPL ofcourse 
A lot of happy and healthy days, Sir Jack  
"Miklkit", USA
Happy Birthday Sir Jack!
Grahame Campbell, Australia
Happy 81st birthday Sir Jack. Thanks for the inspiration and for showing us all what Aussies could achieve in sport and life. Thanks for being part of the speedcar scene in the late 40's, early 50's
"M Needforspeed", Toulouse, France
My best wishes for the great man.
Perhaps he will remember the "canopy" Brabham's after the historic Monza 67 race, he tried too at Albi end of September 67 Formula 2 race. Both circuits were fast ones and for Albi, he tested it and adopted it for the race.
I doubt he has this pic ... a small present
  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK
"Rindtslotus", Pittsburg, USA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR BRABHAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The sport just isn't the same without you !!!!!!!!!!!
You gave me great memories at the Glen!!!
You were the first F-1 driver I saw in person and this is the photo I took of you ... I was in awe!!! Photo is at the Glen, 1968
from Rich (Rachet1)
Best wishes to you Sir Jack on your 81st birthday!
Thank you for all the good memories we have of your years competing in Formula 1 & other racing series. Also for the many contributions you have made to motorsports. May you have many more!
"Sandy", Melbourne Australia:
Happy Birthday Jack. You have been my hero for fifty years. A truly great Australian.
Jerone Inen, The Netherlands (1965)
Happy birthday, Sir.
Fantastic to see a champ reach such a ripe age.
"LOLE" Army Officer, Belgium, 1954
  
Happy Birthday Champion! (and hello to you Doug!).
Happy Birthday Sir and thanks for all those beatiful and thrilling moments of the past! Hope to meet you again in Goodwood! From a Belgian fan and admirer.
"DOHC"
Happy Birthday, Legend!
And thanks for the fantastic moments of motor racing!
Vince Howlett, Victoria BC, Canada (member of the Canadian Motor Sport History Group)
All the best on your birthday, Sir Jack! We hope you enjoyed your trip to western Canada last year!
Ursula Atkins
Happy Birthday Sir Jack,
I have such wonderful memories of you racing and want to thank you again for your gracious response when I wrote to you about my Dad, Tommy Atkins.
I've seen you several times at Goodwood ad it's wonderful to see you having such fun. Best wishes.
S. Beuchert, Europe
02.04.2007
We at GPLRACER have a race sheduled for this day (race simulator computer program)
We decided to celebrate Sir Jacks birthday with a spec race : 67's Brabhams only at a track Jack Brabham won in this saison :
Circuit Bugatti
Guest are welcome 
 Happy birthday Jack
"Sterling49", near Brands Hatch, UK
Happy Birthday Jack, I still miss the turquoise and yellow/green and gold cars that I saw you race at Brands Hatch and still feel for you, after you ran out of fuel on the last lap at the 1970 British Grand Prix.
Here's to enough "fuel" for many more years.
ex Rhodie racer
Many happy returns Champ. As an engineer and driver you were in a class of your own
"Macoran", The Netherlands
I'll have a pint on your health Sir!!
Probably one of the first of the "garagistes" as Enzo would have it.
Happy Birthday from Marc Fenijn
"J P Hovercraft", Canada
Happy Birthday, Sir Jack, and thank you for everything you've given to the sport of motor racing!
Many happy returns!
D-Type, Surrey England
Happy birthday, Sir Jack,
from one who was born on your 21st birthday, 2 April 1947.
"Pedro 917" - Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
Happy Birthday tiger!!
Many happy returns!!
 
 
another great photo from Pedro 917:
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