The Repco-Brabham BT19 and its 1966 Formula 1 World Championship story is the stuff of legend. Driven to the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles by legendary Aussie racer Sir Jack Brabham, it was the first and only time a driver has won both F1 titles in a car of their own make.
Now, 60 years on, the legendary BT19 is set to receive the highest honour in Aussie motorsport when it becomes the 100th inductee to the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame.
This also marks the first time a car – rather than a person – has been bestowed the honour, with current inductees including Australian motorsport’s greatest pioneers, champions and heroes.
The BT19 will be inducted at an official presentation ceremony at this year’s Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the event taking place on the Fan Stage at the Albert Park Circuit at 1pm on Thursday March 5.
Members of Sir Jack Brabham’s family will be present at the ceremony, along with original team members from Repco-Brabham Engines, the Australian company that designed, engineered and produced the car’s 3.0-litre V8 engine in Melbourne.
The ceremony also coincides with Sir Jack Brabham’s centenary year, with Australia’s most successful F1 driver born April 2, 1926 in New South Wales.
“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,” said Wayne Bryant, chief merchandise and growth officer for Repco Australia.
“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.”
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 people to receive this highest honour.
“The partnership between Brabham, Tauranac and Repco is a proud chapter in Australian engineering and motorsport,” says David Brabham, managing director of Brabham Group Limited and son of Sir Jack Brabham.
“Inducting the Repco-Brabham BT19 to the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to their combined achievements.”
This marks the highest of several honours the BT19 has received this year, with Brisbane-based airline Alliance recently finishing one of its Embraer 190 jets in a green and gold livery that celebrates the legendary car.
