{"id":636,"date":"2014-05-21T00:00:43","date_gmt":"2014-05-21T00:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oryxpeople.com.au\/?p=636"},"modified":"2025-03-10T03:08:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T03:08:34","slug":"an-australian-racing-legend-sir-jack-brabham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oryxpeople.com.au\/an-australian-racing-legend-sir-jack-brabham\/","title":{"rendered":"An Australian Racing Legend \u2013 Sir Jack Brabham"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most highly regarded Australian drivers in racing history has passed away at his Gold Coast home.<\/p>\n

Sir Jack Brabham AO, OBE, and triple Formula 1 World Champion, is still the\u00a0only driver to win a world title in a car that he built himself \u2013 an incredible feat that\u2019s unlikely to ever be repeated.<\/p>\n

\u2018Black Jack\u2019 was one of the most accomplished drivers and team owners in the history of the sport.<\/p>\n

\"Sir<\/p>\n

After making his mark on road racing in the early 1950\u2019s, Sir Jack went on to win Formula One Championships in 1959, 1960 and 1966 with the\u00a0Cooper Racing Team. In 1959, after running out of petrol on the final lap, Sir Jack won the championship by pushing his car across the finish line, creating one of the most enduring legends in Australian motorsport history.<\/p>\n

He also famously built his own car \u2013 the BT19 \u2013 which he drove to Formula One victory in 1966, the same year he was honoured as Australian of the Year. The next year he was awarded the Order of the British Empire and in 1979 he became the first driver to be knighted for his services to motorsport.\u00a0By the time he retired in 1970, Sir Jack had notched up 14 Grand Prix wins.<\/p>\n

David Brabham paid tribute to his father via the\u00a0Sir Jack Brabham<\/a>\u00a0website.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the true gentleman of racing, Sir Jack is survived by his wife, Lady Margaret, sons Geoff, Gary and David and their families. His family have upheld Sir Jack\u2019s love of motorsport with all three of his sons, and now two of his grandsons, forging their own careers in international racing.<\/p>\n