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Racing through the 70s
Thursday, 8 September 2022
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Warwick Brown (OKG67) believes he is fortunate to be alive today and still often wonders “what was I thinking” when reminiscing on his high-risk career of race car driver. He has never forgotten the date and time of his biggest crash: 2.30pm on 4 February 1973. Warwick was driving on a circuit at Surfers Paradise, at just under 180mph (289kmh) in an open wheel car, before his tyre deflated, he left the track and he landed upside down in a drain. “It should have been my death date,” Warwick said, knowing how many others died in motor racing during the 1970s. Instead, Warwick spent three months in hospital and post recovery, he went on to win the 1977 Australian Grand Prix. “You never know if you will get another crack. But I did my best stuff after surviving that accident. I felt if I quit, I should never have started. My family were totally against it, but it wasn’t illegal or immoral, and that’s what I chose to do.” Warwick’s career choice was inspired by his neighbour, Pat Burke, who suggested racing as a profession and sponsored him from the outset (1969) through funding his Brabham Formula 3 vehicle. “I used to drive too fast, and I think Pat saw something in me he hadn’t seen before.” Warwick’s father – who had hoped his son would take on the family business in construction – had passed away when Warwick was only 17. “I always had the view, because dad told me, you have to find something you are good at and if you work hard at it, you will be a contented man. I always knew I had a propensity for driving fast cars, but Pat and I didn’t start off thinking we would be top of the heap.” Within two years, however, Warwick was “driving 500 horse power monsters” and he realised he was going to race professionally. Over his career, Warwick’s results included winning the 1975 Tasman Series, 1977 & 1978 Rothmans International Series, 1977 Australian Grand Prix at Oran Park, 1975 New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe (Lola T332-Chevrolet) and he was the runner-up of the 1978 Can-Am Series. While Warwick admits he dreamt of being a world champion, he decided to retire from racing after winning the final round of the 1979 Rothmans Series – his last professional race. “One of the strictures of life is to know when to stop doing something. I had a wife and a daughter, and my responsibilities led me to ask, ‘Is this the time to stop?” After answering his own question, Warwick made a complete break from motorsports, unlike many other professional drivers who become commentators or team managers in retirement. “I never stayed involved in racing, and have only been to a dozen races since, most historic ones.” Warwick was humbled last year when the organisers of the S5000 Series conceived of and awarded the Warwick Brown Cup. “I have taken an interest in the S5000 and provided some input into it. It is like a stroll down memory lane. I can watch my old races on YouTube [in the F5000], and I know it’s me, but it doesn’t feel like me.” Warwick’s undisputed place in history is being one of only 17 Australian men since the 1950s who have competed in Formula 1. His contribution to the sport has also been preserved through the forewords which have been published in several books on motor racing in the 1970s, records which he hopes his children in particular will appreciate one day. Read Warwick’s Racing Reflections in this own words (Download PDF) Connecting: Do you know of any other Old Boys involved in motor racing? Warwick is interested in talking to any OKG who is, or has been, involved. Post-racing career After he stopped racing, Warwick – who incidentally never had a driving lesson – turned to aviation. “I loved flying. Within a year, I did my commercial subjects and by the mid-80s, I had my airline transport licence.” Together with a syndicate, Warwick was able to buy a jet and operate a charter business out of Sydney. He frequently flew many high-profile people and provided medivac services in life critical situations such as organ transplant – until COVID-19 ground the business to a halt in 2020. “I was a 70-year old with 10,000 hours flying time. 80 per cent of pilots were furloughed or terminated, so it came to an end for me.” “What else is there in life apart from aeroplanes, boats and cars?” Warwick asks, before quickly adding he has been blessed in his 30-year partnership with his wife Suzy. “I have nothing but good feelings about my experiences in motor racing and aviation. I’ve been very fortunate and with four kids between us, I have a lot to be grateful for.” Image credit: AN1Images.com, Autopics.com.au Date posted: 8 September 2022 |