Sir Jack Brabham championing a worthy cause

Sir Jack Brabham, still today the only man to win a world championship in a car bearing his own name, along with his wife, Lady Margaret, are the patron’s of Kidney Health Australia and were present at a ceremony at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra hospital to recognise the new angels.

Operation Angel recognises and promotes the work and care carried out by hundreds of people daily in hospitals and medical clinics to assist over ten thousand Australians to remain alive on dialysis. It also recognises the commitment of family, friends and work colleagues of kidney patients.

Debuting at the British Grand Prix in 1955, the race that seen the first British winner in a British car, Sir Jack began a career that extended to 1970 capturing world titles in 1959/60/66 installing him as one of the legends of the sport. Regarded as one of the toughest competitors the man who became known as ‘Black Jack’ famously pushed his car over the line at Sebring to win his first world championship is now pushing for awareness of kidney failure and the need for donations to Kidney Health.

Since suffering kidney failure himself Sir Jack’s strongest message to his fellow sufferers is typical of his attitude to Formula One, “Plan around dialysis-don’t let it run your life. Build your own race strategy and at times whilst it will get tough always try to maintain a positive outlook and just try to get the most out of every day”, truly reflecting the way he approached his racing days. His passion for motor racing is matched by his dedication in assisting Kidney Health Australia.

The Brabham/Repco partnership was the force in the mid sixties winning many races and claiming the Constructors Cup in 1966/67; Repco has again joined Sir Jack this time raising the community’s awareness of kidney failure. Repco Company Executive General Manager Colin Daly said the company is again looking forward to working with Sir Jack and through the 300 Repco stores across Australia, which have thousands of customers of all ages pass through their stores each day, will promote the awareness and communication of a silent killer within the community, a disease affecting over 2 million Australians.

The Brabham name continued in the sport long after Sir Jack’s retirement through his team and two of his three son’s careers in Formula One. All three sons, to the reluctance of their mother, have enjoyed motorsport careers. In 1990, current ALMS driver, David drove for the team his father created; both he and Gary competed in Formula One in the earlier nineties.

David and Geoff have both won the Le Mans 24 hour with David also winning the Spa and Daytona 24 hours and the Sebring 12 hour, at the circuit where Sir Jack pushed his car to fourth place in 1959. Geoff was the Can-Am champion in 1981 and IMSA champion four times from 1988-1991 and teamed with David to win Australia’s endurance race the Bathurst 1000 in 1997. Gary had the pleasure of winning the first ever British F3000 championship in 1989.

At a ceremony at Australia’s National Sports Museum at the famed MCG in November 2008 Sir Jack highlighted the need for community awareness of kidney disease. “Living with kidney failure has been one of the toughest drives of my life and the support of REPCO in assisting the Australian community become more aware of Chronic Kidney Disease will be a major boost to the prevention of the disease in Australia and the work of Kidney Health Australia.”

Sir Jack’s high profile is increasing the awareness and his encouragement to suffers is positive, it is important for people suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease not to give in and isolate themselves from the things they love and enjoy doing, whether it is gardening, reading, going out, meeting friends or playing with the children or grandchildren” he tells them.

At 83 years of age Sir Jack is the oldest living Formula One world champion, the first driver to be Knighted, and his fight for Kidney Health is being met with the same vigour he applied to his Formula One days. For the sake of communities world wide it is important that Kidney Disease is made more aware as it is a disease which can affect people early without their knowledge.

Still keeping in touch with current Formula One issues Sir Jack is happy there is another Aussie challenging for the World Drivers title. This season has Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber currently sitting in second position in the driver standings. “I certainly believe that Mark Webber can go all the way and win the world championship – providing the car holds up,” Brabham recently said. “It’s fantastic to see Webber up there; he’s doing a great job.”You know, we’ve given Mark as much encouragement as we could as he’s come along and it’s lovely to see him doing well.”

Formula One fans wishing to assist Sir Jack and lady Brabham are asked to donate to this worthy cause and can do by visiting Kidney Health websites. Australian residents can also donate by phoning 18004543639 or send donations to GPO Box 9993 in your capital city. Formula One fans would be doing the triple world champion proud by donating and would be viewed as helping one of our own.