The Brownlie Acccident
During my misspent post-war youth I spent much time in Auckland and regularly at Pukekohe. I can’t claim I actually saw what happened on that day but like most, was well aware of the incident.
Having re-read the article (the second time in The Best of Classic Driver sent to me from the Kiwi Kingdom) I would like to toss in my belated tuppence worth.
Yes, it would appear that it was not an accident. Hulme lost his temper/judgement and shunted Brownlie. And yes, we are all painfully aware that there is one rule for the great and good, the rich and renowned and another for the also-rans.
Yes, it did mean substantial injuries plus financial losses including his racing car, however I can’t accept this ‘ruined his career’. Other drivers have come back from greater injuries, with one or two even having limbs missing! It was not as though Brownlie had been unable to establish his skills. He was established on the ladder and we all know what a talent he was, to be sure. Nor would it be possible to move ahead anyway without big team/financial support.
Various post-accident drives were offered but they were turned down. True, they did not appeal but surely it would have been best to remain in the public eye, and more importantly, in the eye of any potential promoter. Would not doing so handicap any advancement?
Although in no way a criticism, it is of note that Hulme’s own career peaked at that time and waned thereafter. No further world championships and in fact over the next 6/7 years in Formula One only four wins were recorded.
Finally, many of those who Brownlie drove with in the 1960s would soon be dead and even Hulme has been gone for 20 years. Laurence Brownlie is thankfully still with us and surely that is nothing for anyone to be bitter about! Croyden Parry London