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.