THE car that Sir Jack Brabham raced to his third and final Formula 1 World Championship will play a special role at the Repco Mount Panorama 500.
The Brabham BT-19, piloted by Brabham’s grandson Sam, will lead the Supercars field around to the grid for both races across the season-opening round of the 2021 championship.
The BT-19, now owned by Repco, is the only one of its type ever built and holds a rare place in F1’s history books.
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Brabham’s victory in the 1966 French Grand Prix at Reims was the first for a driver aboard a car bearing his own name, and was the first of four straight wins in the British, Dutch and German Grands Prix that secured his third Drivers’ World Championship and Brabham’s first Constructors’ World Championship.
The feat of winning both titles with his own team has never been repeated and is unlikely to ever be matched.
“It is a real privilege to have the BT-19 play such a meaningful role at the Repco Mount Panorama 500,” Mitch Wiley, Repco’s Head of Sponsorship, said.
“The Repco crew take such pride in this incredible piece of motorsport heritage.
“To have Sam Brabham, Jack’s grandson take the wheel makes it even more meaningful. This really is a symbolic way for Repco to start its partnership with this great sport.”
Sam Brabham, grandson of Sir Jack and son of Le Mans 24 Hours and Bathurst 1000-winner David, will have driving duties across the weekend, having his second-ever drive of the car on Friday afternoon.
“Every time I drive – I’ve driven it once before in Adelaide last year – it’s such a special feeling,” Brabham said.
“I kind of feel a bit emotional, if I’m honest. You realise the history of it.
“As you are driving the car, changing the gears, going up the Mountain, you can tell how good those guys had to be to be so fast in that era.
“It’s amazing that Repco have kept the car for so long in such great condition for us to be able to do this; it means a lot to the family that it’s possible.”
