Australia’s most revered motor racing driver – and it’s most successful – Sir Jack Brabham, was awarded an AO in the Australia Day Honours, the new gong coming as a huge surprise to the self-effacing three-time world champion.
“I’m really honoured to have another award,” said a clearly touched Brabham, who was recovering at home on the Gold Coast after a spell in hospital with a chest infection.
“I wasn’t expecting any more recognition … it really is terrific,” added Brabham, who is 81.
The Office of the Order of Australia acknowledges Brabham’s enduring service to motorsport as an ambassador, his mentoring role with young drivers and tireless promotion of safety, and his efforts among the broader community through his support of charitable organisations.
It follows his Order of the British Empire in 1966 and knighthood in 1979.
Brabham retired from F1 in 1970 after 126 grand prix starts beginning in 1955 which netted him 14 victories, 13 pole positions, two constructors’ world titles and those three world drivers’ championships.
His first two world titles, in tiny rear-engined Coopers (pictured) he helped develop, hastened the obsolescence of traditional front-engined Formula One cars.
He was the first driver to win the world championship in a car bearing his name, the 1966 Repco Brabham.
Tagged “Black Jack” due to his five o’clock shadow and his economical use of the spoken word, Brabham loosened up after leaving F1, and while never voluble, he did become very comfortable in social gatherings.
He also continued to enjoy himself in fun events such as Targa Tasmania, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Classic Adelaide rally until forced to quit competitive driving on medical grounds.
Brabham, a life governor of Apex Foundations since 1997, has in recent years been involved with the Macular Degeneration Foundation in helping raise awareness of the eye disease. It’s a cause he understands. “I have this eye problem myself – a lot of people do and don’t know it – so I hope to encourage people to be checked out,” said Brabham.
He was the first F1 driver to be honoured with a knighthood, in 1979. Others followed: Jackie Stewart, Stirling Moss and Frank Williams (now a team owner).
For decades, he has also vigorously supported young Australian driving talent including his own very successful racing sons (Geoff, Gary and David), along with Mark Webber and, more recently, James Courtney, now doing well in V8 supercar racing.
“James is all right on his feet, too,” added Brabham, alluding to Courtney’s performance on the last series of TV’s
Dancing with the Stars.
Paying tribute to Brabham this week, Webber spoke of Brabham’s massive influence on his own career. “[When] I got into single-seaters myself I learned more and more about what Jack Brabham had done, and how he had taken on so many things to get to the goals he wanted to achieve. He became a race hero for my family, Australia and indeed a lot of people around the world.”