3 ZYTEK 04S AND ACURA ARX-01B
We allowed Brabham to cheat a bit with his final choice, because he wanted to talk about two cars...
The Zytek 04S, which the Australian shared with Andy Wallace and Hayanari Shimoda at Le Mans in 2004, was an LMP675spec machine that took on the Audi R8s in the new LMP1 division.
“I nearly got overall pole,” recalls Brabham of the 3.4-litre V8 car. “We put a new set of tyres on and I did the time. Audi then threw several new tyres trying to beat it and did.”
The Zytek lacked straight-line speed in the race, suffered a puncture and eventually retired with engine failure caused by damage from a tyre blowout. It did, however, underline its pace the following season (after Brabham had moved on), taking Le Mans Endurance Series victories at Spa and the Nurburgring, and the American Le Mans Series finale at Laguna Seca. It was still winning races in Japan as late as 2007.
“The Zytek was strong in terms of balance, predictability and stability under braking,” says Brabham. “It didn’t have a lot of power, but that car’s success has been incredible since.”
Arguably even more epic were the LMP2 cars from Porsche and Acura (nee Honda) that battled it out in the ALMS in 2008. Both proved capable of taking on the LMP1 Audi R10s for overall honours. Brabham’s best result came alongside Scott Sharp at Lime Rock, their 3.4-litre Highcroft Acura leading the two Penske RS Spyders home to make it an all-lmp2 overall podium.
“There was a development war going on against Porsche and Penske,” says Brabham, who finished behind Penske duo Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas in the final LMP2 standings. “The cars were going faster and faster, it was great fun. If things were right you could go through the first corner at Sebring flat in sixth, which was incredible. “The Zytek and Acura were pretty similar, they just gave you confidence.”