Brabham BT8 SC-4-64

(These are Allen Brown's original notes from his 1993/4 research. Apologies if they don't make complete sense in places!)

Built for 1964 season but more of a puzzle than some of the other cars. As early as January, it was announced (AS 31 Jan 1964) that Mike Eyre and Jackie Epstein had acquired a BT8 for the Targa Florio. Bill Wilks would co-drive with Epstein.

Jackie Epstein (UK) 1964 -

1964 - Tommy Hitchcock (UK and US)

In September 1964, Autosport noted that Tommy Hitchcock would be running his "newly-acquired" BT8 at the Mosport Park race later that month (AS 11 Sep 1964 p395). It was described as "the car that Jackie Epstein crashed during practice for the Targa Florio". In November, Hitchcock announced his intention to run in the UK in 1965, to get in as many races as possible (AS 6 Nov 1964 p723).

1965

Hitchcock was an early entry for the 1965 Autosport Championship and was winning in the BT8 as early as Goodwood's 13 March meeting (AS 19 Mar 1965 p420). The following week he won the 2-litre class at the rainsoaked Silverstone BARC "200" meeting (AS 26 Mar 1965 p463).

Then second in class to Hulme's BT8 at Goodwood (AS 23 Apr 1965 p624).

Qualified an impressive sixth at the Tourist Trophy at on 1 May Oulton Park (AS 7 May 1965 pp694-695) and was fifth in Part One, before retiring early in the second heat. At the International Trophy meeting at Silverstone three weeks later (AS 21 May 1965 pp780-782), he was credited with third in class but had retired long before the end.

Hitchcock finished second to Hulme's unbeatable BT8 in the first heat of the Guards Trophy at Mallory Park on 6 Jun (AS 11 Jun 1965 p910) but was penalised a minute for jumping the start. He followed Hulme home again at Crystal Palace on Whit Monday (AS 11 Jun 1965 pp914-915).

Clive Lacey (UK) 1966 - David Capstick (UK) 1969 (and raced by Keith Grant 1970) - Bib Stillwell (US) 1984.  Retained 1993.