Repco Supercars Championship ace Tim Slade will swap his regular Blanchard Racing Team Ford Mustang for something special this weekend as he will pilot the sole privately-owned Brabham BT62 in the country.
Slade will race the Brabham at Phillip Island as part of a packed Victorian State Race Series on May 13-15 contesting three sprint races over the weekend joining the Hi-Tec Oils MGs and Invited British Sports Cars.
The Brabham will also take part in a unique speed comparison time trial, against Mike Sinclair (Hyundai Excel), Craig Piergrosse (Improved Production Ford Falcon), Phil Chester (MGF) and Mark Taubitz (Porsche 944).
It’s been a busy opening to the season for Slade as in addition to his Repco Supercars Championship commitments, he contested the opening S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship round at Symmons Plains with Team BRM.
Then, not only did he contest the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour with Brad Carr, but the 36-year-old also substituted Fabian Coulthard at Round 3 of the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series in the Stan Sport Wall Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR.
The BT62 has already proven competitive in limited outings across both Europe and New Zealand, but having sampled the Brabham in testing Slade is looking forward to the weekend.
“Obviously, I am looking forward to racing the Brabham at Phillip Island.” Said Slade.
“I have driven a few different cars this year, including a LMP3 prototype which has similar characteristics to the Brabham. Overall, it should be a good weekend.
“I have tested it at a few places like Tailem Bend but it should really suit the Grand Prix Circuit and give it a chance to stretch its legs.
“Big power, good aero and sticky tyres makes it a pretty versatile car at speed.
“There should be a bit of a difference between the Brabham and some of the MGs, but I’d like to say a big thanks to the MGs and Invited British Sports Cars for having us along.
Launched in 2018 as a track model to celebrate Brabham’s 70th anniversary, the BT62 features a 5.4-litre V8 producing 700hp, while power is delivered through a six-speed Holinger sequential-shift transmission.
Having won on its debut at the Britcar Endurance Championship’s ‘Into the Night’ at Brands Hatch, the Brabham last year was entered into the SRO’s European GT2 Championship in detuned BT63 specification.
It is the sole privately owned BT62 in Australia, which was imported for promotional activities and at times had Brabham Automotive Founder and Managing Director, David Brabham behind the wheel.
Catch the BT62 in action live and free on the VSRS live broadcast on the Blend Line TV social streams, YouTube and Facebook or watch the action trackside from $20.
Broadcast of Round 3 of 5 of the VSRS kicks off at 12:50 AEST Saturday, followed by an entire day’s competition on Sunday from 09:05 AEST.
More than 230 competitors representing 12 different classes have so far entered the event.