Recently appointed Australian V8 Ute Racing Series Chaplain, Steve Peach, will pay homage to Sir Jack Brabham AO, OBE today (11th June) when he conducts the state funeral at his Southport Church of Christ for the Motorsport Legend, who passed away 19th May 2014.
A former mechanic, Peach joined the racing fraternity in 2008 through his association with Jesus Racing and V8 Ute driver Andrew Fisher. He stepped out last year to focus on his Church, however also stayed connected with the V8 Ute Series marrying V8 Ute Fans Shane & India Clarke in Pit Lane Mount Panorama, during the Bathurst 1000 weekend.
Peach is now the Senior Minister at the Southport Church of Christ and is honoured to take such a big part in the three time Formula 1 World Champions memorial.
“It’s such an honour to do a state funeral, let alone for a man so revered as Sir Jack and his family. It’s a time for family, friends and guests to show their admiration and respect and try and deal with the passing of a father, husband, dear friend and motorsport icon,” said Peach.
Australian V8 Ute Racing Category Managers, Craig Denyer and Bill West, both had the opportunity to meet and work with Sir Jack on a number of occasions and will be in attendance at the State funeral today.
“Bill and I both had an association with Sir Jack in the early days of PROCAR, and all the Brabham sons in the various stages of their motor racing careers. Sir Jack was the thorough professional at every level and it’s only fitting that his achievements and life are celebrated in such a special way today,” Denyer said.
Brabham passed away peacefully on the Gold Coast in the family home at age 88, and will be honoured by his Wife Lady Margaret and son’s Geoff, Gary and David and their families.
See below Sir Jack Brabham’s Racing Achievements:
• Formula One World Drivers Champion 1959, 1960 and 1966• Formula One World Constructors Champion 1966 and 1967• Fourteen Grand Prix wins• Thirteen Formula One Pole Positions• Ten second and seven third place finishes• Australian of the Year 1966• Awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1967• Knighted for his services to motor sport in 1979• Only driver in Formula One history to win the championship in a car of his own construction• Contested 126 Grand Prix from 1955 to 1970• British Saloon Car Championship in 1965• Won both the Australian and New Zealand Grand Prix three times• Four-time winner of the European Formula Two Championship
