Brabham Story of a Racing Team

Phil Drackett follows the fortunes of the Brabham team from its formation in 1961 by the legendary Australian, Jack Brabham and his partner, Ron Tauranac, to more recent years of the 1970s and 1980s under Bernie Ecclestone. `Black Jack' Brabham, first man to win a Grand Prix in a car of his own manufacture and three times World Champion, paved the way for many great drivers at the wheel of Brabham cars, amongst them other World Champions in Hulme and Lauda; the Argentinian Carlos Reutemann, so nearly a Champion; and his ill-fated team-mate, Carlos Pace of Brazil. But many believe that the present Brabham No 1, another Brazilian, Nelson Piquet, Champion in 1981 and again in 1983, is destined to be the finest of them all. Not content with simply recording the exciting history of the team, Phil Drackett gives the reaction of drivers and backroom boys; assesses the innovative genius of Gordon Murray, who designs the cars; and profiles the commercial acumen and extraordinary personality of Bernie Ecclestone, one of the most dynamic and controversial figures in motor racing, who runs not only Brabham but, as President of the Formula One Constructors' Association (FOCA), the whole Grand Prix circus. With a fine appendixes which details Brabham’s world championship Grand Prix results from 1962-1984 and Indianapolis 500 results 1964-1972, the interesting study of a modern day racing team is achieved.