Was totally unaware of this, having just
discovered the news upon my return from "The City of Destiny," aka
Tacoma Monday afternoon, having known what none of the articles seem to
mention, that Sir 'Blackjack, nee Jack Brabham had been on kidney dialysis for
years... As its hard to believe that another legendous' driver 'N master
"Tinkerer" named Dan Gurney, who
was hired as Brabham's team-mate at his fledgling Motor Racing
Developments squad won the first Formula 1 race in a Brabham chassis a half century ago this summer!
While ironically, as I've just noted in my
recent Brickyard Loti trilogy, it was Sir Jack who brought the rear-engine
revolution at Mother Speedway to birth some 53-years ago, a half century after
the Speedway's first 500-mile event. And as somewhat typical, Brabham, who contested
the Indy 500 four times scored his best result in his rookie outing...
As there's rightly countless obituaries about
Messer Brabham's storied life, becoming the modern era's second ever F1 triple
world champion, following upon the footsteps of el Maestro, aka Juan Manuel
Fangio's then unprecedented five titles - a
feat that stood unbroken for 45-years, as I enjoyed Adam Cooper's take
on how 'Ol Blackjack thought he hadn't pissed in the press's pockets enough to
garner their admiration...
Whilst Grizzled Journo' Joe Saward seems to
give the most in-depth look upon his racing career achievements, albeit
glossing over his IndyCar contributions...
As I suppose 'Grand-pappy Blackjack can rest
comfortably in the fact that his family's legacy is alive and well, with grandson Mathew having just scored his
debutant Indy Lights win at the
Brickyard, while I was unawares of his other grandson Sam's motor racing
aspirations...