# Jack Brabham

> Australian racing driver (1926–2014)

**Wikidata**: [Q2125](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2125)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Brabham)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jack-brabham

## Summary
Jack Brabham was an Australian racing driver and one of the most successful figures in motorsport history. He is best known for winning three Formula One World Championships (1959, 1960, 1966) and being the only driver to win a championship in a car bearing his own name, Brabham Racing Organisation.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 2, 1926
- **Died**: May 19, 2014
- **Nationality**: Australian
- **Occupation**: Racing driver, team owner
- **Known for**: Three-time Formula One World Champion, founder of Brabham Racing Organisation
- **Employer(s)**: Brabham Racing Organisation, Rob Walker Racing Team
- **Field(s)**: Motorsport, automotive engineering

## Contributions
Jack Brabham made significant contributions to motorsport as both a driver and a team owner. He founded **Brabham Racing Organisation** in 1960, which became one of the most successful Formula One teams of its era. As a driver, he won three Formula One World Championships (1959, 1960, 1966), with his 1966 victory being particularly notable as he won in a car of his own design and manufacture. Additionally, he played a key role in the development of the **Repco engine**, which powered his championship-winning car in 1966.

## FAQs
**What were Jack Brabham's major achievements in Formula One?**
Jack Brabham won three Formula One World Championships (1959, 1960, 1966) and is the only driver to have won a championship in a car bearing his own name.

**What was Brabham Racing Organisation?**
Brabham Racing Organisation was a British racing car manufacturer and Formula One team founded by Jack Brabham in 1960. It became one of the most successful teams in motorsport history.

**What awards did Jack Brabham receive?**
He was awarded the **Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)**, the **Australian of the Year** (1966), the **Australian Sports Medal**, the **Centenary Medal**, and was named an **Australian National Living Treasure**.

**What was Jack Brabham's nickname?**
He was often referred to as **"Black Jack"** due to his dark hair and competitive nature.

## Why They Matter
Jack Brabham revolutionized motorsport by demonstrating that a driver could also be a successful team owner and engineer. His 1966 championship win in a car of his own design remains a unique achievement in Formula One history. His contributions to automotive engineering, particularly the development of the Repco engine, had a lasting impact on racing technology. Brabham’s legacy extends beyond his driving career, as his team continued to be a dominant force in Formula One for decades.

## Notable For
- Three-time Formula One World Champion (1959, 1960, 1966)
- Founder of Brabham Racing Organisation (1960)
- Only driver to win a Formula One championship in a car bearing his own name
- Developer of the Repco engine used in his 1966 championship-winning car
- Recipient of the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Named Australian of the Year (1966)
- Awarded the Australian Sports Medal and Centenary Medal
- Nicknamed "Black Jack"

## Body

### Early Life and Career
Jack Brabham was born on April 2, 1926, in Australia. He began his racing career in the 1940s, competing in local Australian motorsport events before moving to Europe to pursue Formula One racing.

### Formula One Career
Brabham made his Formula One debut in 1955 and quickly established himself as a top driver. He won his first World Championship in 1959 driving for Cooper Climax. The following year, he defended his title, becoming the first driver to win back-to-back championships in a mid-engined car.

In 1960, Brabham founded the **Brabham Racing Organisation**, which would go on to become one of the most successful teams in Formula One history. His most notable achievement came in 1966 when he won his third World Championship driving a car of his own design, the Brabham BT19, powered by a Repco engine.

### Brabham Racing Organisation
The Brabham Racing Organisation was founded in 1960 and became a dominant force in Formula One. The team won multiple championships and produced iconic cars such as the Brabham BT46, which featured innovative designs like the "fan car." The team continued to compete in Formula One until the late 1980s.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Brabham received numerous awards and honors, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He was named **Australian of the Year** in 1966 and received the **Australian Sports Medal** and **Centenary Medal** for his contributions to motorsport.

### Legacy
Jack Brabham's legacy in motorsport is unparalleled. He was not only a highly successful driver but also a pioneering team owner and engineer. His achievements in Formula One, particularly his 1966 championship win in a car of his own design, remain a unique feat in the sport's history. His contributions to automotive engineering and team management continue to influence motorsport to this day.

## References

1. [BBC News](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27465380)
2. BnF authorities
3. Australian Honours Search Facility
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. Find a Grave
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Statsf1.com
10. BBC Things
11. Manipe F1
12. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia