5 Star

Gasoline, Testosterone and True Grit.

From first time writer, director and actor Akos Armont (The Railway Man, House Husbands (TV Series)), he brings us an in depth look into one of the true greats of motor racing history Sir Jack Brabham (1926-2014 88yrs). A man who helped shape the face and safety of all modern formulas of motor racing today. Not forgetting the three times he won the Formula One World championship, and the only man to do it in a car with his name as a constructor.

This documentary is a who’s who of motor racing over the last sixty plus years, and it is all about the legend that was Sir Jack Brabham, who took the World of motor sport by storm from his very young days as a hill climber to winning the Formula One title three times in a time when drivers of all talents would die at nearly every race meeting. A time when drivers were just strapped into a purpose built car, mostly by the drivers. Not even wearing a crash helmet.

Akos Armont interviews the likes of Sir Sterling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, Steve McQueen, and the guys that helped take Jack Brabham to his amazing victories, but obviously they weren’t in control of how much fuel was in the car.

I ran out of petrol.

This is a very personal account of a career that spanned decades and how a woman could turn up to the track every weekend when many wives would go home a widow. And how sons would grow up not knowing their reclusive father. A man fascinated by engineering and those that had the same passion as himself.

For a first time documentary, Armont has done a cracking job at putting you into the life of a man that was determined to do everything there was to be at the top of his game, and this is a must for any petrol head in your family.

It’s only cheating if you get caught.

Brabham is available on DVD, Blu-ray and Amazon Prime