» Two bronzed Australians…

Australia’s two Formula 1 World Champions – and arguably the men who did the most to put our country on the motorsport landscape – will be rightfully honoured at next weekend’s Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation will unveil bronze busts of three-time World Champion, Sir Jack Brabham, and Australia’s second World Champion, Alan Jones, in a special ceremony before Sunday’s 58-lap race.

Created by Melbourne artist Barbara McLean, the works were jointly commissioned by the AGPC and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), and it’s a recognition that is long overdue in the eyes of many motorsport fans.

“It is entirely fitting that, sixty years on from the first Australian Grand Prix to be held at Albert Park in 1953, these two great names should be honoured here in Melbourne,” said Ron Walker, Chairman of the AGPC.

“The names Brabham and Jones are part of the foundations on which our motor racing heritage was built. Jack Brabham left these shores to win three Formula One World Championships, put Australia firmly on the motor racing map and earn a knighthood. A generation later, Alan Jones became Australia’s second World Champion.

“We are intensely proud that these wonderful statues will stand guard over the circuit where Australia’s motorsport reputation was forged, and where the Formula One world is such a welcome visitor every year.”

“I won many trophies, many titles and was thrilled to take Australia’s name to the top of the motor racing world. But I have never felt as honoured as I did when I learned that my achievements and Alan’s were to be commemorated in this way,” Sir Jack Brabham said of his recognition.

“It’s hard enough for me to accept that three decades have flown by since I was World Champion, let alone remember 60 years ago when as a very small boy I watched my father race at Albert Park!” Joned added.

“But I am delighted that our home town, Melbourne, has decided to acknowledge our contribution to Australia’s motor racing history with these marvelous sculptures.”

The ceremony will take place at 2:00PM local time on Sunday 17 March, three hours before the 2013 Formula 1 World Championship gets underway – as it rightfully should – with the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

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