Last year we brought you a story of the Brabham BT62. It was announced that the BT62 will form the basis of a Brabham Le Mans entry.

The BT62 is a track-only special that is powered by a mid-mounted 5,4-litre naturally aspirated V8. The engine produces 525 kW and a devilish 666 N.m of torque. Drive is fed to the rear wheels by a six-speed Holinger sequential gearbox. All up the BT62 tips the scales at just 972 kg.

It also features aerodynamics to aid grip, including an adjustable rear wing, which reportedly produces more than 1200 kg of downforce. Helping the BT62 to stop are F1-style six-piston carbon-on-carbon Brembo brakes.

Read the original story by clicking here.

A racing return

Brabham Automotive announced yesterday that will return to international sports car racing and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Australian automotive manufacturer has committed to a factory racing team with development work already underway. The team’s target is the 24 Hours of Le Mans and World Endurance Championship season in 2021/22, where it intends to enter the GTE class.

Interesting, the racing efforts will be linked to the Brabham BT62 driver development programme, making early owners of the modern Brabham track car part of the test team for Le Mans and providing top-level Pro-Am racing opportunities to owners.

Click here to read about another small scale manufacturer, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus, looking to compete at Le Mans.

In their own words

Brabham Automotive managing director, lead test driver and 2009 Le Mans winner David Brabham, said:

“Returning the Brabham name to Le Mans is something I have been working on for years, so it’s fantastic to make this announcement today. Brabham Automotive only launched its first car, the BT62, in May 2018 so we have a long road to travel to earn the right to return to compete at Le Mans. That work starts now with a long-term racing commitment. We look forward to developing the BT62 and future products while building a world-class competitive race team around the leading engineering and manufacturing talent we have in the business.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), promoters of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, commented:

“At Le Mans, the legendary Brabham name instantly conjures up memories of an outstanding family success story. It all began in July 1967 at the only French Grand Prix to be held at the Bugatti Circuit, when three-time Formula One world champion Sir Jack Brabham took the honours in a car sporting the Brabham name. Sir Jack’s sons, Geoff and David, perpetuated the family tradition by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1993 and 2009 respectively, both with Peugeot. For the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the return of the Brabham name to endurance racing is therefore much more than symbolic. It demonstrates remarkable loyalty and an extraordinary competitive spirit.”