Munich/Goodwood. BMW Group Classic will be making the
journey to southern England a little earlier than usual this year. It
will bring the legendary Brabham BMW BT52 Formula 1 racing car to
Goodwood in mid-April to celebrate various anniversaries with a series
of exclusive demonstration laps. Performing the driving duties will be
David Brabham, son of three-times Formula 1 world champion and team
founder Sir Jack Brabham.
1983 was a very special year for the BMW brand. Brabham BMW’s Nelson
Piquet became the first driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship
in a turbocharged car. The title victory was sealed just 630 days
after the arrival of BMW as engine suppler to the British Brabham
team, setting a milestone for BMW Motorsport.
The potential of the Brabham BMW BT52 was already evident in spring
1983 during the then popular testing sessions at the Goodwood Motor
Circuit. It was here that Piquet set the Goodwood lap record, becoming
the first driver to power around the circuit in under a minute. The
Brazilian’s lap remains the best ever recorded at Goodwood.
The history of motor racing at Goodwood began seven-and-a-half
decades ago, the “75 years of motorsport at Goodwood” celebrations
adding another highlight anniversary to the 80th Goodwood Members’
Meeting this year.
