Gary Brabham

Last updated

Gary Brabham
Nationality Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australian
Born (1961-03-29) 29 March 1961 (age 63)
Wimbledon, London, England, United Kingdom
Retired1995
Related to Sir Jack Brabham (father)
Geoff Brabham (brother)
David Brabham (brother)
Matthew Brabham (nephew)
Sam Brabham (nephew)
Indy Car World Series
Years active1993–94
Teams Dick Simon Racing
Bettenhausen Motorsports
Starts2
Wins0
Poles0
Fastest laps0
Best finish40th in 1993
Previous series
1982
1985
1986-88
1987

1989
1989-90
1990
1990-91
1991-92

1991
Australian Formula Ford
British Formula Ford 2000
British Formula 3 Championship
British Touring Car Championship
World Touring Car Championship
British Formula 3000 Championship
International Formula 3000
Formula 1
Australian Endurance Championship
IMSA GT Championship
Interserie
Championship titles
1989
1991
British Formula 3000
12 Hours of Sebring
Formula One World Championship career
Active years 1990
Teams Life
Entries2 (0 starts)
Championships 0
Wins 0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 0
First entry 1990 United States Grand Prix
Last entry 1990 Brazilian Grand Prix

Gary Thomas Brabham (born 29 March 1961) is an Australian former professional racing driver. He is the son of three-time World Formula One Champion Sir Jack Brabham and the brother of Le Mans winners Geoff and David Brabham.

Contents

His solitary F1 berth came with Life, a team that failed to prequalify for a single F1 race in its lone season of existence. Brabham's career never fully recovered, despite winning the 1991 Sebring 12 Hours and being the first Australian to start the Gold Coast Indy Grand Prix. [1] After his career, Brabham was convicted of child rape. [2]

Early life

Brabham, born in Wimbledon, England, [3] was the second-born of the triple World Champion Sir Jack Brabham. Despite hopes from his mother that he would avoid the motor-racing scene altogether, he grew up on a diet of Formula Ford in both Australia and the UK.

He made his racing debut in 1982, finishing his first race at Calder Park Raceway in third despite being in a 9-year-old car. He later broke the Formula Ford lap record at the Sandown Raceway in the same car. [4] [5]

Career

Starter formulae

Later in 1982, he was chosen to go to Europe for 1983. Despite very little support from the Australian public, Brabham raced in the British Formula Ford 2000 Championship for Neil Trundle Racing, in a Reynard SF83. He finishing the season in 11th place. During this season, he also made his sports car-racing début, sharing a March-Ford 83S, with Alo Lawler at Brands Hatch. [5]

For the following season, he remained in the same series, joining Penistone Racing, partnering Julian Bailey in their Reynard SF84. Brabham regularly outpaced his team-mate, and despite team orders not to outperform his team-mate, he still was not disgraced taking sixth overall in the final championship positions. During 1984, he tried his hand at other categories, including racing sport cars in the Thundersports Series, taking his maiden victory at Snetterton, sharing a Tiga-Ford TS84 with Tim Lee-Davey. With no top single-seater drives available for him in 1985, Brabham had a slight reprieve through the Thundersports series, where he raced for the TechSpeed Racing team in a Shrike-Ford P15 alongside Divina Galica, recording five second places. [5]

In 1986, his father got a team together under the banner of Jack Brabham Racing. Gary raced in 9 of the 18 rounds of the British Formula 3 Championship in a Ralt-Volkswagen RT30, managing some decent results such as second at Silverstone. This was enough to take him to fifth in the championship. For 1987, the team had secured Panasonic backing for 15 of the 19 F3 races, in a Ralt-Volkswagen RT31. Brabham won two races at Silverstone and Donington Park, coming I sixth in the championship. He was threatening Johnny Herbert for the title until his budget tragically ran out. [5]

He returned to Australia briefly to race in the 1987 James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst, sharing a works BMW M3 with Juan Manuel Fangio II. The car was up to fifth at one stage before Fangio glanced a stricken car in the rain. Brabham showed his speed late in the race, dicing and passing the Aussie legend Peter Brock. Although Brock would eventually win the race, Brabham and Fangio were classified 16th at the end. [5]

For 1988, Brabham returned to England, joining Bowman Racing for a third season of British Formula 3. Although JJ Lehto won the championship, Brabham stormed home late in the season, winning four races in his Ralt-Volkswagen RT32 to finish second. On his way, he also won the Scottish Superprix and Oulton Park Gold Cup. This earned him his first chance to test a Formula One car. He tested a Benetton B188 at the behest of team manager, Peter Collins, at Jerez. [5]

A chance to move up to International Formula 3000 arose in 1989, but the drive went to Andrea Chiesa, instead. Brabham settled for a drive with Bromley Motorsport, in the British Formula 3000 Championship, in an ex-Roberto Moreno Reynard-Cosworth 88D. He took this car to the inaugural title with four victories and pole positions along the way. During the season, he also managed to secure some outings in the International series for both Bromley and Leyton House teams, his best result being fifth at Brands Hatch. [5]

Also, Brabham finished fifth at the 1988 Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix and sixth in 1989.

Life in F1

After more F1 testing for Leyton House and Brabham teams, he also assisted Porsche with their Indy car, before the opportunity arose to race in F1. [5]

He failed to prequalify for two Formula One Grands Prix with the troubled Life project, a team that failed to prequalify for all 14 of its attempts during the 1990 season. Brabham was the second-slowest prequalifier (leading only the Coloni-Subaru of Bertrand Gachot, who recorded a lap time of 5:15.010, but 30 seconds behind the EuroBrun of Claudio Langes) at Phoenix, and the engine gave up after only 400 m in Brazil. One small plus of the car was that it was the sixth-fastest car in a straight line in untimed practice in Brazil. [6] After those two races, when clearly no improvement was forthcoming, Brabham promptly quit the team in disgust. [4] [5] He had a small chance to join the Brabham team at the time, but confusion over his Life contract caused him to lose the seat to his brother David. [6]

After Formula One

For the remainder of 1990, Brabham raced in F3000 for Middlebridge Racing in their Lola-Mugen T89/50, collecting two third places at Monza and Enna. However, his bad luck continued as he failed to qualify for Pau and Birmingham. He returned to Australia for the Eastern Creek 500, teaming up with his brother David in a Ford Sierra RS500 for Frank Gardner’s team. The brothers finished fourth. [5]

In 1991, he went Stateside to the IMSA championship and drove for Nissan Performance Technology Inc. [NPTI] at the Sebring 12 Hours along his other brother Geoff and Irishman Derek Daly. Starting from pole, they won the race in their Nissan NPT-90. This victory did not open any more doors. Brabham settled for a series of one-off drives: a drive in an older Nissan at Miami, an outing in a Stürtz-BMW SM in an Interserie race at Brands Hatch and another visit to the Bathurst 1000. [5]

Brabham accepted an invitation from NPTI to race in the IMSA Endurance races in 1992 alongside Daly and Steve Millen at Daytona, recording a DNF after running in third. At Sebring, the winning crew from 1991 was joined by Arie Luyendyk. This crew came close to defending the title, finishing second. [5]

In 1993 and 1994, he later raced in CART, becoming the first Australian driver to race the Gold Coast Indycar street race before retiring from racing in 1995 to teach advanced driver training. His pupils have included Rowan Atkinson and Captain Mark Phillips, for celebrities competing in the Australian and British GP celebrity races [4] [5] [7]

Criminal convictions

In 2009, he pleaded guilty to charges of indecent dealing of a child under 12 years. Brabham managed to have his name suppressed as he served out his time in high security at Wacol jail. [8]

In 2016, a Brisbane District Court 12-person jury found him guilty of one charge of rape and one charge of indecent treatment of a child then aged six. The offences occurred between 2003 and 2007 in Brisbane. [9] [10] After the verdict was handed down, the court was told Brabham had a criminal history. [11] In September, an appeal by Brabham against the conviction was unanimously rejected by the Queensland Court of Appeal. [12] He was sentenced to 18 months in jail, but was released after 6 months. [13]

Racing record

Career highlights

SeasonSeriesPositionCarTeam
1982 TAA Formula Ford Driver to Europe Series 12th Birrana-Ford
1983 British Formula Ford 2000 Championship [14] 11th Reynard SF83-Ford Neil Trundle Racing
1984 BBC Grandstand Formula Ford 2000 Championship [14] 4th Reynard SF84-Ford Penistone Racing
British Formula Ford 2000 Championship [14] 6th
1986 Lucas British Formula 3 Championship 5th Ralt RT30 Volkswagen Jack Brabham Racing
1987 Lucas British Formula 3 Championship 6th Ralt RT31 Volkswagen Jack Brabham Racing
1988 Lucas British Formula 3 Championship 2nd Ralt RT32 Volkswagen Bowman Racing
1989 British Formula 3000 Championship 1st Reynard 88D Cosworth Bromley Motorsport
International Formula 3000 Championship 17th Reynard 88D Cosworth
March 89B Judd
Bromley Motorsport
Leyton House Racing
1990 Formula One World Championship NC Life L190 Life-W12 Life Racing Engines
International Formula 3000 Championship 11th Lola T90/50 Cosworth Middlebridge Racing
Australian Endurance Championship 17th Ford Sierra RS500 Tony Longhurst Racing
1991 IMSA GTP Championship 40th Nissan NPT90
Nissan GTP ZX-T
Nissan Performance Technology
1993 CART World Series 40thLola T92/00 - Chevrolet Dick Simon Racing
1994 CART World Series 52nd Penske PC-22 - Ilmor Bettenhausen Racing

Complete British Formula 3 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrant123456789101112131415161718TotalPoints
1986Jack Brabham Racing THR
DNS
SIL
6
THR
11
SIL
2
BRH
5
THR DON
10
SIL
4
SIL
DNS
OUL ZAN DON SNE SIL
5
BRH
4
SPA ZOL
15
SIL
4
5th22
1987Jack Brabham Racing THR
5
BRH
2
SIL
1
THR
4
SIL
RET
BRH
4
THR
7
SIL
9
ZAN
RET
DON
DNS
SIL
33
SNE
7
DON
1
OUL
6
SIL
5
BRH
DNS
SPA THR 6th37
1988 Bowman Racing THR
9
SIL
5
THR
2
BRH
3
DON
RET
SIL
4
BRH
21
THR
2
SIL
4
DON
3
SIL
2
SNE
2
OUL
1
SIL
8
BRH
1
SPA
8
THR
1
SIL
1
2nd81

Complete British Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position in class) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap in class - 1 point awarded)

YearTeamCarClass123456789101112DCPtsClass
1987 Alan Docking Racing Holden Commodore VK SS Group A A SIL OUL THR THR SIL SIL BRH SNE DON OUL
Ret‡
DON SIL NC0NC
Source: [15]

‡ Endurance driver (Ineligible for points)

Complete World Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamCar1234567891011DCPoints
1987 BMW Motorsport BMW M3 MNZ JAR DIJ NUR SPA BNO SIL BAT
ovr:16
cls:6
CLD WEL FJI NC0

Not registered for series & points

Complete British Formula 3000 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrant123456789TotalPoints
1989Bromley Motorsport BRH
3
THR
1
OUL
2
DON
6
BRH
1
SNE
5
SIL
1
OUL
2
BRH
1
1st55

Complete International Formula 3000 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrant1234567891011DCPoints
1989 Bromley Motorsport SIL
Ret
VAL
8
PAU JER
13
PER 18th2
Leyton House Racing BRH
5
BIR
DNQ
SPA
11
BUG
Ret
DIJ
Ret
1990 Middlebridge Racing DON SIL
Ret
PAU
DNQ
JER
12
MNZ
3
PER
3
HOC
14†
BRH
8
BIR
DNQ
BUG
8
NOG
11
11th8

Complete Formula One results

(key)

YearEntrantChassisEngine12345678910111213141516WDCPoints
1990 Life Racing Engines Life L190 Life W12 USA
DNPQ
BRA
DNPQ
SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS NC0

Complete Australian Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamCar123DCPoints
1990 Benson & Hedges Racing Ford Sierra RS500 SAN BAT ECK
4
17th10
1991 Allan Moffat Enterprises Ford Sierra RS500 SAN BAT
Ret
NC0

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

YearClassNoTyresCarTeamCo-driversLapsPos.Class
pos.
1989 C155 D Porsche 962C
Porsche Type-935 3.0L Turbo Flat-6
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Team Schuppan Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan
Flag of Sweden.svg Eje Elgh
32113th10th

Complete 24 Hours of Daytona results

YearClassNoTyresCarTeamCo-driversLapsPos.Class
pos.
1992 GTP84 G Nissan R90CK
Nissan V8/90° 4v 3.0L Turbo
Flag of the United States.svg Nissan Performance Technology Inc. Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Daly
Flag of New Zealand.svg Steve Millen
150DNF

Complete 12 Hours of Sebring results

YearClassNoTyresCarTeamCo-driversLapsPos.Class
pos.
1991 GTP83 G Nissan NPT-90
Nissan V6 3.0L 2x Garrett Turbo
Flag of the United States.svg Nissan Performance Technology Inc. Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham
Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Daly
2981st
1992 GTP1 G Nissan NPT-91A
Nissan V6 3.0L 2x Garrett Turbo
Flag of the United States.svg Nissan Performance Technology Inc. Flag of the Netherlands.svg Arie Luyendyk 20DNF
GTP83 G Nissan NPT-91A
Nissan V6 3.0L 2x Garrett Turbo
Flag of the United States.svg Nissan Performance Technology Inc. Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham
Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Daly
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Arie Luyendyk
3552nd

Complete Bathurst 1000 results

YearTeamCo-driversCarClassLapsPos.Class
pos.
1987 Flag of Italy.svg BMW Motorsport Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Fangio II BMW M3 214616th6th
1991 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Moffat Enterprises Flag of New Zealand.svg Steve Millen Ford Sierra RS500 1128DNFDNF
1992 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allan Moffat Enterprises Flag of Australia (converted).svg Charlie O'Brien Ford Sierra RS500 112425th20th

American Open Wheel racing results

(key)

CART

YearTeam12345678910111213141516RankPointsRef
1993 Dick Simon Racing SRF
14
PHXLBH INDY MILDETPORCLETORMISNHMROAVANMDONZRLS40th0 [16]
1994 Bettenhausen Racing SRF
24
PHXLBH INDY MILDETPORCLETORMISMDONHMVANROANZRLS52nd0 [17]

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References

  1. "Interview with Gary Brabham". F1 Rejects. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  2. "Gary Brabham found guilty of child rape". [[ABC News (Australia)|]]. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  3. "Gary Brabham". ESPN UK. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 "Gary Brabham – Richard's F1". Richardsf1.com. 29 March 1961. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Gary Brabham - Biography". F1rejects.com. 10 May 2001. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Brabham Fortnight: We catch up with Gary Brabham". RacerViews.com. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  7. "Celebrity Photo Gallery, Celebrity Wallpapers, Celebrity Videos, Bio, News, Songs, Movies". In.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  8. Alex Oagana (24 March 2016). "Gary Thomas Brabham convicted of child rape". Auto Evolution. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  9. "Sir Jack Brabham's son Gary found guilty of rape of young girl". Courier Mail. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  10. "Motor racing champion's son jailed for raping girl". ABC News. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  11. "Gary Brabham, son of racing car legend, found guilty of child rape". ABC News. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  12. "Brabham loses appeal against child rape conviction". ABC News. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  13. "Gary Brabham Released From Jail After Just 6 Months For Raping 6-Year-old". marieclaire.com.au. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  14. 1 2 3 "Gary Brabham - Career Summary". F1rejects.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  15. de Jong, Frank. "British Saloon Car Championship". History of Touring Car Racing 1952-1993. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  16. "Gary Brabham – 1993 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  17. "Gary Brabham – 1994 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
None
British Formula 3000 champion
1989
Succeeded by