FANS and colleagues of the late and great Sir Jack Brabham will travel from across the state to be in Orange on Saturday for a memorial service to the man who carved out a name for himself on the local, national and international racing circuit.
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Orange mayor John Davis says he is extending an invitation to the public to attend.
“The Orange community is proud to have played a part, right at the start of the three-time world champion’s career in motor racing,” Cr Davis said.
In honour of the racing legend the sportsground in Forest Road was re-named Sir Jack Brabham Park on September 21, 1985.
Among the guests at Saturday’s memorial service will be Ron Tauranac who was the engineer and racing car designer who along with Jack Brabham, founded the Brabham racing team in 1962.
He will speak of his memories of the legendary racing car driver along with Orange journalist and historian Denis Gregory and one of Sir Jack’s close friends Bill Buckle who will bring one of his class fibreglass vehicles, well known in motor racing circles, to Orange with him .
Mr Tauranac who is now in his 80s went on to design racing cars in England in a career that stretched from the 1960s through to the 1990s.
Mr Gregory said a wide cross section of people are expected to attend on Saturday.
“The thing is with Jack is that he was just so highly respected - a lovely man and despite his achievements he always considered himself to be just one of the blokes,” Mr Gregory said.
Cr Davis said organisers are hoping to have a number of historic motor vehicles on show for the public to view following the tribute service.
Catholic priest Father Paul Devitt will also be playing a role in the service.
During the ceremony two plaques will be unveiled which mark the connections between the former circuit and Sir Jack Brabham.
The event will start at 2.30pm on the Huntley Road side of the Sportsground
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au