May 2017
• Sir Jack Brabham, Australia’s three-time F1 World Champion, is to be honored by his homeland with a special commemorative 50¢ coin struck by the Royal Australian Mint. The coin features a likeness of Sir Jack and the Brabham BT19-Repco with which, in 1966, he became the only driver ever to win the World Championship in a car of his own construction. “Sir Jack Brabham was not only a superb racing car driver, but he was also an innovative engineer and pioneer, paving the way forward for motorsports,” said the Royal Australian Mint’s Chief Executive Officer, Ross MacDiarmid. “As we enter the 2017 Formula One season, this coin celebrates one of the world’s motor racing greats and his remarkable achievements, on and off the track.”
• Nine-time Le Mans winner, six-time Sebring winner and 2013 FIA World Endurance Champion Tom Kristensen will share his experiences as guest speaker at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s annual Picnic in the Paddock on Saturday, August 19 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Joining the legendary Dane on the picnic stage will be motorsports historian Murray Smith, who will ensure that Kristensen doesn’t leave anything out. The Picnic in the Paddock commences at 12:30 p.m. outside the Rolex Drivers’ Club at Turn 3, providing a rare opportunity for fans to bring their lunch, listen to stories and ask questions. For complete information please visit www.mazdaraceway.com
• The newest inductees into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum are legendary driver and constructor Bruce McLaren and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti. New Zealander McLaren, whose name lives on in the eponymous Formula One team that has captured eight Constructors Championships and 12 drivers titles, won four Formula One races, two Can-Am championships, and shared victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with fellow Kiwi Chris Amon, and in the 1967 12 Hours of Sebring with Mario Andretti. The Scottish-born Franchitti won 31 races during his Indycar career, including a trio of Indy 500 victories in 2007, 2010 and 2012. He also won four IndyCar series championships (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011) and lost a fifth on a tie-breaker in 1999. Franchitti also was part of the winning team at the 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
