Terry S wrote:Was surprised to see that there were 4 Brabhams listed for the Formula Ford championship.
Were these "real" Brabhams, as Brabhams never made a FF car?
My curiosity was raised by Brabhams racing in Formula Ford events so I decided to investigate further.
Of particular interest was the Brabham BT23 in this starters listing.
After wading through Ten Tenths forum Chassis History Archive, all 514 posts, and Allen Brown’s Old Racing Cars site, I believe I finally have the story.
The car in question is Brabham BT23-7.
Originally purchased in 1968 by Frank Williams for Piers Courage.
Then in late 1968 sold to Roly Levis, who raced it in 1968 Tasman Series, then at Singapore, Batu Tiga and Fuji in following months. Sold to Baron Robertson who raced it at Pukekohe in December 1970.
Levis then tested it for Robertson in practice for December’s Bay Park International, but crashed heavily when a tyre punctured at Rothmans Corner, effectively destroying the car.
Robertson then bought a new Brabham, BT23C – 17 to continue racing.
In the meantime BT23C – 7 was rebuilt by Phil Harris as a Formula Ford, and that is the car in the 1972 FF Championship race listed above, #112. Harris and Peter Haskett raced it in 72 to 74.
It was rebuilt to original specs in 1980’s, and then sold to UK in 1990. Then sold to US, including the well known Bobby Rahal. Last recorded sale to Ted Wentz in 2008.
Now I can rest.
[quote="Terry S"]Was surprised to see that there were 4 Brabhams listed for the Formula Ford championship.
Were these "real" Brabhams, as Brabhams never made a FF car?[/quote]
My curiosity was raised by Brabhams racing in Formula Ford events so I decided to investigate further.
Of particular interest was the Brabham BT23 in this starters listing.
After wading through Ten Tenths forum Chassis History Archive, all 514 posts, and Allen Brown’s Old Racing Cars site, I believe I finally have the story.
The car in question is Brabham BT23-7.
Originally purchased in 1968 by Frank Williams for Piers Courage.
Then in late 1968 sold to Roly Levis, who raced it in 1968 Tasman Series, then at Singapore, Batu Tiga and Fuji in following months. Sold to Baron Robertson who raced it at Pukekohe in December 1970.
Levis then tested it for Robertson in practice for December’s Bay Park International, but crashed heavily when a tyre punctured at Rothmans Corner, effectively destroying the car.
Robertson then bought a new Brabham, BT23C – 17 to continue racing.
In the meantime BT23C – 7 was rebuilt by Phil Harris as a Formula Ford, and that is the car in the 1972 FF Championship race listed above, #112. Harris and Peter Haskett raced it in 72 to 74.
It was rebuilt to original specs in 1980’s, and then sold to UK in 1990. Then sold to US, including the well known Bobby Rahal. Last recorded sale to Ted Wentz in 2008.
Now I can rest.