Our new ‘Racing Rarities’ quiz: Is it a lamb or a lion?

Mostly drawn from the archives of our photography partners XPB and Grand Prix Photo, every week from Tuesday we present a little piece of motorsport history. Tell us who you can recognise (Example: Jo Siffert, Monza, 1970) and join in the guessing game – there’s nothing to be won. Send your answer to: mathias.brunner@speedweek.com. The closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday of the current week.

Entry is free of charge. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over. Employees of the participating companies are excluded. The decision is final.

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For the new quiz: Is it a lamb or a lion? Who is this Formula 1 one-hit wonder?

Our clue for the final task was: ‘Now for something to tickle your ears!’ We want you to tell us who is pictured in the photo, when and where it was taken, and why the driver turned up wearing that strange helmet.

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The photo showed the Australian Jack Brabham wearing a helicopter pilot’s helmet; it was taken at Jarama in 1970. Brabham also wore this strange-looking helmet in Monaco and England. It’s almost impossible to identify the location from the picture, but that wasn’t the main focus this time – we were interested in the driver and the odd-looking helmet.

Jack Brabham in Jarama 1970 mit Hubschrauberpiloten-Helm

Foto: Grand Prix Photo

Here’s the story: for years, Brabham steadfastly refused to wear ear protection in his racing car. The three-time world champion was convinced that, without any protection at all, he was better able to detect mechanical problems by sound.

It was inevitable: Brabham suffered hearing damage and became hard of hearing towards the end of his career.

Which brings us to this helmet: in 1970, a number of drivers experimented with this US Armed Forces helicopter pilot’s helmet (Gentex SPH model), including Brabham, Jackie Stewart and Piers Courage.

As it turned out, however, the head protection worn by helicopter or fighter pilots was not the be-all and end-all, despite the flaps on the left and right.

The black adhesive strip on Brabham’s helmet covers a gap through which the clear visor of his fellow pilots could be pulled down. Brabham preferred to wear ski goggles instead. As the season progressed, ‘Black Jack’ then switched to a full-face helmet.