THE REPCO-BRABHAM BT19 IS OFTEN recognised as Australia’s most successful racing car. Now it is to receive Australian motorsport’s highest honour.
The Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame today announced that the Repco-Brabham BT19 F1 car, raced by Sir Jack Brabham to the 1966 Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships – the only time a driver has won both F1 titles in a car of their own make – will become its 100th inductee.
This is the first time a car, instead of a person, has been uplifted to the Hall of Fame, which includes Australian motorsport’s greatest pioneers, champions and heroes.
The Repco-Brabham BT19 will be inducted at an official presentation ceremony at this year’s Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix. The event will take place at the Fan Stage at 1:00 P.M. (AEDT) on Thursday 5 March.
Members of Sir Jack Brabham’s family and original team members from Repco-Brabham Engines, the Australian company that designed, engineered and produced the car’s 3.0-litre V8 F1 engine in Melbourne, Australia, will join the ceremony, which will coincide with Sir Jack’s centenary year.
Wayne Bryant, Chief Merchandise and Growth Officer, Repco Australia, said, “Inducting the Repco-Brabham BT19 to the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame is a great tribute to the outstanding people who created this landmark car, which conquered Ferrari, Lotus, Maserati and others to write one of Australia’s greatest success stories.
“The fact that Repco created the BT19’s V8 Formula 1 engine remains a source of inspiration for all of our team members across Australia and New Zealand.”
John Smailes, Chair of the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame, added, “The Repco-Brabham BT19 F1 car joins an exclusive gathering of the most successful and impactful figures in the sport. “It is the most important race car ever produced, the product of a rare combination of Australian genius.”
David Brabham, MD Brabham Group Limited and son of Sir Jack Brabham said, “The partnership between Brabham, Tauranac and Repco is a proud chapter in Australian engineering and motorsport. Inducting the Repco-Brabham BT19 to the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to their combined achievements.
The Repco-Brabham BT19 will join its chassis designer, Ron Tauranac AO, and its Repco engine designer, Phil Irving MBE, as a Hall of Fame member. Sir Jack Brabham was appointed Legend status in the Hall of Fame in 2018, one of only four to receive this highest honour.