The man in British Racing Green:
Aston, Bentley and Brabham
By Kate Shaw
Photos courtesy Craig Elliott
TORONTO (January 24, 2006) – Country music had Johnny Cash, the Man in Black. The American Le Mans Series has David Brabham, the Man in Green.  Of course, Brabham has driven in many colours over a colourful career; but among them he has been pilot of two of the most romantic of green sports cars: the Bentley and the Aston Martin DB9.

The Bentley burst onto the scene for two brief seasons, 2001 and 2002; and it electrified the racing world.  Brabham considers the Bentley one of the best cars he has ever driven. “The Bentley was a stunning car to both look at and drive,” he remembered in a recent interview, “one of the best cars I have ever driven at Le Mans. The car I drove was better than the two made before it, not because of their looks but it was a more refined car to drive.” The Bentley garages were ten-deep in admirers every day as soon as the garage doors were rolled up, and at the base of the podium when the team ascended for their third place trophy the first time of asking, a group of British gentlemen attired in formal evening attire set up a tea table below and toasted the elegant win.

In 2005 at Sebring, Brabham appeared at the track with another green beauty, the No. 57 Aston Martin DB9, and with the help of teammates Peter Kox and Darren Turner, brought it home first in class, outlasting, out maneuvering, and out driving the formidable Corvettes, the Saleen, the Ferraris and best of all, the sister Aston! Once again the spectators and photographers gathered round to admire and gaze upon a beauty in British Racing Green, with visions of James Bond lingering in their heads. (Of course the machine guns, oil slick machine and ejector seat were removed to save weight for the race…) “The Ferrari and the Aston Martin are certainly both beautiful cars,” said Brabham, “and of course to a lot of people they are the ‘dream cars’ too. It’s easy to feel romantic about these things, but when it goes bad on race day, they can certainly seem to turn ugly!” Having proved a formidable team in the 12 hour race, Aston Martin Racing took on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and once again the Aston Martin took it to the Corvettes, and the team fought its way through blistering heat that led to hyperthermia and cramp, and a lack of fresh air in the closed cars, playing leap frog with the Corvettes on the track and in the pits. “It felt like 100 degrees in the car – very difficult to do a double stint. My right leg seized up and I couldn’t do anything about it.” The man in green gave best and brought the car home P3 in class behind the mighty Corvettes.

So what will David Brabham be doing in 2006? Well, talks are continuing with Aston Martin as they decide what their program for 2006 will be, but Brabham is optimistic. “I believe they would like to race in the ALMS,” he said, “but I’m hoping to know soon their final plans. I have some other things on the go, but as yet I’m a free agent.” And his optimism embraces endurance races of every kind from the 24 Hours of Le Mans to the 24 Hours of Bathurst. “Any chance to race at home is a thrill,” he agreed. “I’m sure I’ll be back!” And the same for Le Mans; the Man in Green will find a way to be there.

Since Brabham has driven so many of the toughest endurance races in every sort of car, I asked him if he had considered racing in the Dakar Rally Raid, the toughest (and most dangerous) race in the world. He didn’t have to think about it – it’s not on his radar at all. But not because it is too dangerous. “We’re all free to make up any kind of racing we like,” he said, “and to think about it any way we like; the danger or the pleasure depends on how we look at it.”

Finally, I asked him if he’d be altering his schedule in any way this year because it is a World Cup year – keeping in mind the all important England-Denmark game was played on Race Day at Le Mans Weekend in 2002. “No,” he said, “but I do have tickets!”

A lot of water will go under the bridge (and a lot of cars will go round the track) before we turn our thoughts to the World Cup – and when we take our places trackside at Sebring, we expect those two Aston Martins to take the field … and behind the wheel in the No. 57 we’re sure will be David Brabham, the Man in British Racing Green.