Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Geoff Brabham Born In Sydney, Australia - March 20, 1952

March 20, 1952
Geoff Brabham
Born in Sydney, Australia.
Geoff is the son of three-time Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham. He has two younger brothers; Gary and David. Geoff teamed with David to win the 1997 Bathurst 1000 in a BMW, becoming the only brothers to have combined to win the race. Although the most successful of the second generation of racing Brabhams, unlike his siblings he did not compete in World Championship Formula One.

Brabham spent the majority of his racing career in the United States. He raced successfully in CART early in his career, finishing 8th in 1982, 1984 and 1987 with nine podiums. In ten appearances in the Indianapolis 500, he had a best result of fourth in 1983 and fifth in 1981.

His greatest source of success was in various forms of sports cars, winning four IMSA GTP titles, from 1988 to 1991, when racing for Nissan, and the 1981 Can-Am championship.

Brabham also won the 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving one of the factory Peugeot 905, alongside French drivers Eric Hélary and Christophe Bouchut. He became just the third Australian driver to win Le Mans after Bernard Rubin in 1928, and Vern Schuppan in 1983.

Brabham had two victories in the International Race of Champions in 1992 and 1993, both at Michigan. In 1994 he made his only NASCAR Winston Cup Series start, at the first ever Brickyard 400, at Indianapolis, driving for Michael Kranefuss. He crashed in the second half of the race.

Later in his career, Brabham returned to Australia, where he was runner-up in the 1995 and 1997 Australian Super Touring Championship, and won the 1997 Bathurst 1000 Super Touring race driving a BMW 320i alongside brother David. He dabbled in V8 Supercars, throughout his career. He is still one of the few drivers to win his first race, Sandown 500 in 1993.

Brabham now works for BMW Group Australia, as a driver trainer. His son Matthew is also following in the family interest and is a very successful Kart racer.

No comments:

Post a Comment