TWO GENERATIONS OF THE BRABHAM DYNASTY TO COMPETE AT THE BRICKYARD VINTAGE RACING INVITATIONAL
There are two generations of the Brabham family heading to the Brickyard with Matt Brabham joining his father, Geoff at the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend (16th-17th).
The father and son duo will race in the Indy Legends Pro-Am category which will see professional drivers paired with amateur class drivers for separate stints during the race. Geoff and Matt will be at the wheel of ‘Group 6’ A and B production cars, featuring Corvettes, Camaros and Mustangs from 1963 to 1972.
The Indy Legends Pro-Am event is the feature race for the Saturday of the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, promoted by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association.
In 2016 Geoff and Matt also appeared at the event, with both getting a taste of victory across the weekend.
The younger Brabham is returning to the Brickyard after his IndyCar debut in 2016 for PIRTEK Team Murray.
Matt impressed in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, qualifying 26th in the strong 33 car field, running comfortably in the top 20 and taking the chequered flag in 22nd.
Geoff was there to support Matt in 2016, drawing on his experience from his 10 starts of the Indy 500. Geoff finished fourth in the 1983 Indy 500, the best of his career in the legendary motorsport event.
Matt’s grandfather and Geoff’s father, Sir Jack Brabham bought about the rear-engine revolution after being the only car to start the 1961 Indy 500 race with one. He entered four races between then and 1970.
Matt Brabham is also the youngest driver in the Pro-Am field at 24-years-old.
The third-generation racer is campaigning the Speed Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks and will contest the Australian Supercars PIRTEK Enduro Cup in 2018. He currently leads the Stadium SUPER Trucks championship. In September he will join forces with Australian, Lee Holdsworth and the Preston Hire Racing team for the first event in the Enduro Cup, the Sandown 500 (September 14-16).
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY …
Matt Brabham (driver)
“I can’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day than at the Brickyard with my dad,” said Matt Brabham.
“It’s such a fun event and to be here with my Dad is special, Hopefully we can both do well and maybe come away with a win this weekend. That would be very cool.”
Tony Parella (CEO of Sportscar Vintage Racing Association)
“Matthew is one of those extremely talented racers who deserves a full-time, top-tier professional racing opportunity,” said Tony Parella.
“He has more than proven himself as a champion in development series and we are honoured that our event can help keep this young Indy 500 veteran’s name in the conversation.”