This month we speak with one of the great behind-the-scenes players in open wheel racing cars, Ron Tauranac. If the name doesn’t mean much to you, the cars certainly will. Ron Tauranac is the “T” in all the Brabham BT racing cars, as well as the first and last initials of the highly successful Ralt cars. Tauranac is not only one of the most prolific racecar designers of all time, but certainly one of the most successful, with his designs winning championships in F1, F2, F3 and, a host of other series over several decades. Our man in Australia, Patrick Quinn, caught up with Ron on his return to that country.
What prompted your return to Australia?
Tauranac: With my wife dying two years ago and my eldest daughter moving back to Australia and the other one to the U.S. there really was nothing to keep me in the U.K. I had some work there but it wasn’t continuous and I’m the sort of guy who needs to be busy all the time.
