I recently went to the launch of the new Brabham BT62 and there was a pretty impressive historic display, so thought I'd share a few pics with you guys. David Brabham (Jack's son and 2009 Le Mans winner) was kind enough to give me a tour. I asked him if the new car would be in a computer game near us any time soon, he wouldn't give anything away but said he was in discussion with several studios and that they would go with the one that offered the best deal and the most exposure for the brand. He also said he already had a good relationship with Turn 10 from the historic Brabham DLC on Forza, so I assume that's where the BT62 will end up. But I did say I thought PC would do the car the most justice in terms of physics/dynamics, so if we end up with it you guys own me a beer!
(ps
@IanBell we need some Brabhams, new and old!)
BT62
Track-only, though David hopes road and and endurance racer version will follow – he's got his eyes on Le Mans if the rumoured return to production-based GT1-style rules to replace the outgoing LMP1 category materialises...
70 will made at £1m each, first 35 will have liveries inspired by the 35 Brabhams that won an F1 race. The launch car honours the BT19 that Jack won the Driver's and Constructor's title with in 1966 (the Brabham team's first-ever GP win)
BT45
Designed by Gordon Murray, first Brabham with an Alfa engine (flat 12). Owned by the Rossi family (owners of Martini) – the other two remaining BT45s are owned by Alfa and Bernie E
BT42
Also owned by the Rossi family, delivered after its retirement (with BT44-style bodywork from the factory) and still in their collection.
BT24
Denny Hulme's car for the Championship-winning 1967 season
BT11
Used to develop the BT19 that Jack used to win the Driver's and Constructor's Titles in 1966
BT3
Brabham's first Formula 1 car
Midget Racer
Probably the most important car here. After leaving the Aussie Air Force, Jack Brabham used his mechanic skills to set up a machining shop. He was asked to build a Midget racer, but the bloke he built it for had one too many accidents and his wife barred him from racing it. He persuaded Jack to enter it in a race, which he won. He carried on winning races, moved to the UK and the rest is history.
Trophies
A few historic artefacts from the Brabham family's collection were shipped over for the event, including Jack's first winner's trophy for the 1959 Monaco GP (awarded to him by Princess Grace), his driving gear and the 1966 Dutch GP Trophy. In the lead-up to winning the latter, Jack hobbled to his car on the grid with a cane and a false moustache, playfully mocking the critics who said at 40 he was too old to race...
Sorry for long post. Looking forward to my first race in the Type 49 this eve!