Engine, behind!

The first to have driven a race car with the engine behind the driver at Indianapolis is none other than Jack Brabham: then a double F1 world champion in the little Cooper T51, a car that had revolutionised Grand Prix racing with it’s 4 cylinder Climax engine placed behind the driver. Indeed, he had convinced John Cooper to enter this T58 with a V8 Climax behind him, for the 1961 Indy 500.

Qualified in 13th position, “Black Jack” finished the race in 9th, paving the way for the rear engine on the Speedway and for Jim Clark and the Team Lotus.