Sir Jack Brabham dead at 88

LEGENDARY three-time world Formula One champion Sir Jack Brabham has died at his Gold Coast home this morning.

LEGENDARY three-time world Formula One champion Sir Jack Brabham has died at his Gold Coast home.

A towering figure in world sport, Brabham was 88. He died this morning with his wife, Lady Margaret, by his side.

Brabham was the first driver in history to be knighted for his services to motorsport and remained the sport’s greatest advocate throughout his life.

He is the only driver to win a world title in a car of his own construction — the BT19 — which he drove to victory in 1966. He also won the Formula One world drivers’ championships in 1959 and 1960 with the Cooper Racing Team and the Formula One World Constructors Champion title in 1966 and 1967. He had 14 Grand Prix wins.

Acclaimed as a brilliant engineer, technological innovations brought about by the Brabham team helped to shape the sport today. Through his partnership with Ron Tauranac, over 500 Brabham racecars were built from the team’s British Surrey base in the 1960s alone, while the Brabham name continued in F1 for 30 years.

His passed on his love of motorsport to his three sons Geoff, Gary and David, to his first wife Betty, have all made successful careers in the sport. In turn two of Brabham’s grandsons are also forging careers in motorsport.

Geoff’s son Matthew is competing in the Indy Lights race in the United States while David’s son Sam is competing in the Formula Ford championship in Britain.

GALLERY: Sir Jack Brabham - 1926-2014

On behalf of the family David Brabham paid tribute to his father this morning.

“It’s a very sad day for all of us. My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 this morning. He lived an incredible life, achieving more than anyone would ever dream of and he will continue to live on through the astounding legacy he leaves behind.”

The sporting great made his last public appearance on the Sunshine Coast yesterday. He was at the head office of Aeromil Pacific at the local airport to be reunited with the 1967 BT23 race car he designed and built, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported.

The car, which was bought by company managing director Steve Padgett, was used in the 1967 was used in the 1967 Formula 2 races in Europe.

Long-time friend and former co-drive Grahame Ward said today “Brahbam was a man of rare humility” who had an unyielding love of his country.

Australian Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker recalled watching Brabham duelling with Stirling Moss and Stan Jones behind hay bales at Albert Park.

“He was a great Australian, who did a lot to develop Formula One racing and I am sad to learn of his passing,’’ Mr Walker told 3AW.

Additional reporting: Brednan Cormick and AAP