BRABHAM BT52 OWNERS’ WORKSHOP MANUAL

Andrew van de Burgt £25.99 Haynes

The distinctive blue and white dart-shaped Brabham BT52 represented a significant development for F1 racing cars in the 1980s. Designed by Gordon Murray with David North for the 1983 season, it needed to bring something new to the challenge after ground effect cars were banned. Powered by BMW’s turbocharged M12/13 engine, it introduced the concept of midrace fuelling, while its increased rearward weight distribution improved traction. The BT52 won its first GP outing in Brazil and Nelson Piquet subsequently won the World Drivers’ Championship while Brabham came third in the Constructors’ title. Former Autosport editor-in-chief Burgt presents the whole fascinating story of the BT52s, including the restoration of a BMW-owned example a few years back, in this well-illustrated resume. DB

ISBN 978-0-85733-820-4 Hardback, 216mm x 279mm, 160 pages www.haynes.co.uk