Jack Brabham’s BT19 F1 car inducted into Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame

How good is this. The first vehicle, not a person, has been inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame. The iconic Repco-Brabham raced by Sir Jack Brabham to win the 1966 Formula One World Championship has become the 100th inductee.

How fitting is that, 60 years on from the World Title, the only time a driver has won both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in a car of their own make.

Members of Sir Jack’s family and some original team members from Repco-Brabham Engines who designed the 3.0 litre V8 which powered the car, were at the ceremony at Albert Park’s Fan Stage last night.

Wayne Bryant, Chief Merchandise and Growth Officer, Repco Australia said “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. 

“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 said “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.” 

Fittingly, to mark the 60th anniversary of the title, the car has also been immortalised in the livery of an Alliance Airlines’ green-and-gold Embraer E190-100  and it looks spectactular.

With one iconic car now in the Hall of Fame – which one should be next? Surely one of Brock’s 05 Big Bangers? Or Dick Johnson’s Green’s Tuff Ford?