Brabham BT18

Brabham BT18 Honda at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed, by Edvvc on Wikipedia 

The Brabham BT18 was a Formula One racing car that was produced by Brabham and built in the mid-1960s.

BT denoted the first letter of both of the designers,  Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac.

The BT18 was a Formula 2 and Formula 3 racing car.

Two vehicles, F2-18-66 and F2-19-66, were used by the Brabham works team with Honda engines.

In total, only 46 cars were produced.

Development history

The precursor of the BT18 was the Brabham BT16 from 1965, fitted with either a Cosworth SCA, BRM or Holbay MAE engine. The BT16 made its debut on 20 March 1965 at the F2 race at Silverstone, England.

The BT18 was a Formula 2 and Formula 3 racing car. 2 vehicles, F2-18-66 and F2-19-66, were used by the Brabham works team with Honda engines. 32 were built for Formula 2 racing and called the BT18A. 6 cars sold to private teams were equipped with a Cosworth SCA engine. A special version, the BT18B of 8 specimens were made, were fitted with the Ford Kent engine for the upcoming 1966 Formula Ford.

The car had a tubular frame, which was enhanced by co-supporting metal sheets. The regulations meant that the car could only have an engine with a displacement of 1000cc and a minimum weight of 420 kg. This means the engine supplier for this car was Honda who supplied Brabham with 994cc engines. The RA302E engine was able to produce 150 hp at 11,000rpm.

Race History

In 1966, Jack Brabham and Denis Hulme drove the Brabham BT18s gaining a total of 11 victories in 12 races. Jack Brabham won the Formula 2 championship and Denis Hulme was the Formula 2 runner-up in the same year.