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Sir Jack Brabham, three-time Formula One world drivers' champion and icon of world motorsport, dies aged 88
The Australian won the championship in 1959, 1960 and 1966 – the final time in a car of his own construction.
He retired in 1970, was knighted in 1978, and was named a National Treasure in 2012.
He died after collapsing this morning.
In a written statement on behalf of the family, his youngest son David said Brabham had lived "an incredible life".
"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 said.
"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."
After serving in the RAAF during World War II, Brabham started his own engineering firm, buying and selling second-hand cars.
He began racing a short time later, racing midget cars on dirt tracks. He told Australian Story in 2009: "I managed to win the third race I started in, and never looked back from there".
•Triple Formula One world champion - 1959, 1960, 1966
•14 Grand Prix victories
•13 pole positions
•Australian of the Year in 1966
•Awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1967
•Knighted for his services to motorsport in 1979
•Only F1 driver to win championship in car of his own construction
•Contested 126 Grand Prix from 1955 to 1970
Full story at the link http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-1...n-dies/5461332
The Australian won the championship in 1959, 1960 and 1966 – the final time in a car of his own construction.
He retired in 1970, was knighted in 1978, and was named a National Treasure in 2012.
He died after collapsing this morning.
In a written statement on behalf of the family, his youngest son David said Brabham had lived "an incredible life".
"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 said.
"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."
After serving in the RAAF during World War II, Brabham started his own engineering firm, buying and selling second-hand cars.
He began racing a short time later, racing midget cars on dirt tracks. He told Australian Story in 2009: "I managed to win the third race I started in, and never looked back from there".
•Triple Formula One world champion - 1959, 1960, 1966
•14 Grand Prix victories
•13 pole positions
•Australian of the Year in 1966
•Awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1967
•Knighted for his services to motorsport in 1979
•Only F1 driver to win championship in car of his own construction
•Contested 126 Grand Prix from 1955 to 1970
Full story at the link http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-1...n-dies/5461332
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