This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Formula One race held in the United States. The 1959 U.S. Grand Prix at Sebring produced a dramatic finish when 
Jack Brabham pushed his Cooper across the finish line to clinch the World Championship. Bruce McLaren won the race, but Brabham won the season title by finishing fourth. He had run out of gas on the last lap.
David Brabham, driver of the Patron Highcroft Acura in this year’s Sebring endurance classic on March 21st, will commemorate his father’s historic championship by driving the same Cooper Formula One car around the Sebring circuit prior to the start of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
“It is a bit of a lifetime experience for me because I have never driven one of his cars,” stated David. “It is such a unique opportunity, not only to drive one of his cars, but also to do it at the track 50 years after he won his first Formulas One Championship.”
“The track at Sebring was unbelievably rough when I drove there in 1959,” stated Sir Jack Brabham, who resides in Australia. “I was very pleased I was driving a Cooper, which was a very strong car.”
“It was interesting to hear dad’s comment that Sebring was unbelievably rough,” added David. “Fifty years later, nothing has changed! I am probably expecting a bit of a smoother ride in the old car as it has a lot more suspension travel than my Acura.”
The Brabham family has a rich history at Sebring. David’s brothers Geoff and Gary won at Sebring diving for the Nissan team during the Camel GT era.
To order tickets to the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, visit sebringraceway.com or call 800-626-7223.
[Source: Sebring Raceway]
