Having achieved the first-ever class victory for a “customer” Brabham BT62 Competition two months ago, Ross Wylie, from Thornhill near Dumfries, re-wrote the famous Brabham marque’s history books again last Saturday (14 Aug).
Wylie and co-driver Paul Bailey swept their Brabham to a fabulous outright race victory in a GT Cup race staged on the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit – much to the delight of a spectating David Brabham, the youngest son of triple F1 World Champion Sir Jack.
Bailey started the Brabham from the front row of the 39-car grid and pitted from third overall, second in class, under Safety Car conditions at mid-distance for Wylie to take over. Despite having to remain stationary for an additional 20secs at the pit-stop due to a “success” penalty incurred when Wylie/Bailey scored a third consecutive class victory last month, Ross was quickly chasing down the leader as the race resumed with 17mins to run.
A series of fastest laps saw Ross challenge and overtake the race leader with 11mins to run, Wylie leading the final six-laps and taking the chequered flag over 10secs ahead of his nearest pursuer in the 21-lap race. Unfortunately, a technical issue side-lined the sixth-placed Brabham before Wylie could drive it in Sunday’s race. Wylie/Bailey will nevertheless start the next Donington races over 18-19 September leading the GTO category.
Ross Wylie (GB):
Age 29. Born & Lives Thornhill nr Dumfries, Scotland:
“Scoring Brabham’s maiden ‘customer’ outright race win with the BT62 is something very special. Because it was at Silverstone makes it additionally noteworthy for me for a number of reasons. The fact that the race was staged on the Grand Prix circuit makes it more exceptional as it’s where Jack Brabham himself won the 1960 British Grand Prix while earlier this year I was made a full British Racing Drivers’ Club member and the BRDC is based at the circuit.“I’ve worked very hard with Paul’s development as a driver and that paid off as he handed the car over to me in a great, competitive position which then allowed me to go on and finish off the job he’d started with his excellent opening stint.
“Our victory is a well-deserved reward for everyone at SB Racing, Horsepower Racing, Brabham Automotive and of course car owner and co-driver Paul [Bailey] himself.”
