Sir Jack Brabham Passes Away Peacefully, Aged 88 (Update)

UPDATE A statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles about the death of Sir Jack Brabham, who was a four-time Indianapolis 500 starter and patriarch of a racing dynasty that includes 10-time Indianapolis 500 starter, Geoff Brabham and rising open-wheel star Matthew Brabham.

"Every time an Indy car runs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you can find roots that trace back to Jack Brabham's rear-engined Cooper Climax T54 that he drove to 9th place in the 1961 Indianapolis 500," said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. "In addition to starting the rear-engine revolution at IMS, Brabham competed in four Indianapolis 500 Mile Races and designed race cars that competed in the 500. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brabham family, especially with his son and former Indianapolis 500 competitor Geoff Brabham and his grandson and current Indy Lights competitor Matthew Brabham."

05/18/14

Jack Brabham in 1966

Sir Jack Brabham AO, OBE, triple Formula 1 World Champion, has died at the age of 88. Sir Jack passed away peacefully at his Gold Coast, Australia, home on Monday morning.

Formula 1 World Champion in 1959, 1960 and 1966 and double Constructors’ Champion (1966 and 1967), Sir Jack was one of the most accomplished drivers and team owners in the history of the sport. The first driver to be knighted for services to motorsport, ‘Black Jack’ rose from racing midgets on dirt ovals in Australia to dominate global motorsport.

His first two titles in the Cooper Climax marked the end for front-engined Formula 1 cars. The third made him the only driver in history to win a World Championship in a car of his own manufacture, the Brabham BT19 – a feat unlikely to ever be repeated.

Acclaimed as a brilliant engineer, technological innovations brought about by the Brabham team helped to shape the sport today. Through his partnership with Ron Tauranac, over 500 Brabham racecars were built from the team’s British Surrey base in the 1960s alone, while the Brabham name continued in F1 for 30 years.

Jack Brabham winning the French GP in 1966

LAT Photo

Although Jack scored his final win in the 1970 South African Grand Prix, the legacy has continued with all three of his sons achieving their own global success, while third generation drivers Matthew and Sam are building their own notable racing careers.

On behalf of the family, Jack’s youngest son David said: “It’s a very sad day for all of us. My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 this morning. He lived an incredible life, achieving more than anyone would ever dream of and he will continue to live on through the astounding legacy he leaves behind."

Sir Jack is survived by his wife, Lady Margaret, sons Geoff, Gary and David and their families.