TOYOTA BRINGS DAVID BRABHAM BACK TO THE MOUNTAIN

David Brabham will return to the Mt Panorama with Toyota – Photo: Supplied

Toyota will bring former Bathurst 1000 winner David Brabham back to Mt Panorama next month as an invited driver in the Toyota 86 Racing Series.

Brabham, youngest son of three-time Formula One champion Sir Jack, is has carved out his own career in elite sports-car racing.

He completed brief stints in Formula One in the early 90’s with both the Brabham and Simtek teams, before moving on to sports car racing, where he won the American Le Mans Series in 2009 and 2010.

However the biggest highlight of Brabham’s career was winning the LeMans 24-hour in 2009 outright. Making him just one of just four Australians to have won prestigious race at the La Sarthe circuit.

David Brabham – Photo: Supplied

David’s first race at Le Mans was for the works Toyota team in 1992, qualifying third in the Toyota TS010 but succumbing to a mechanical issue. He is also a triple class winner in the endurance classic.

His other titles include the Australian Formula Two, British Formula Three, Japanese GT500 and US Professional Sports Car championships as well as victory in the 1997 Bathurst 1000 during its Super Touring era.

“It’s always a thrill to race at Bathurst – and it’s even better when you’re part of a series that involves such close competition among drivers who are passionate enthusiasts aiming to forge a career in motorsport,” Brabham said.

“By spending the weekend with these drivers, racing against them and just talking to them, I hope I can help improve their performance and encourage them to work hard and be prepared to take the opportunities as they happen.”

Toyota asked Brabham to select a special livery and racing number on his car for the Bathurst event – Photo: Supplied

Toyota asked Brabham to select a special livery and racing number on his car for the Bathurst event.

“I thought it would be interesting to see how a retro-inspired Brabham design from my father’s era would work on a current car,” he said. “I asked for car number 66, as it represents one of Australia’s greatest motorsport achievements, when Jack won the 1966 Formula 1 World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.”

Toyota Australia executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said regular series competitors would benefit from the competitive presence of Brabham, whose career has spanned the highest echelons of global motorsport.

“David is a sports car legend who brings extensive global experience, a winning mentality and an unrivalled ability to motivate other drivers looking to advance their circuit-racing careers through the Toyota 86 Racing Series,” Mr Cramb said.

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