The global juggernaut of Formula 1, the motor racing extravaganza of thrill and entertainment, begins its 24-stop world championship in Melbourne.
A truly global championship which will visit five continents, 21 countries, and can watched in virtually every corner of the globe.
But Formula 1 began as a category dominated by Europe. The early years of F1 were competed in races almost exclusively in Europe. There was always at least one race away from the European continent, ordinarily in the United States, to ensure it could classify itself as a world championship.
As a consequence, it was British and European manufacturers who ruled the sport. Ferrari, Lotus, BRM (British Racing Motors) and Cooper were just some of the famous names to rack up the wins.
But the European stranglehold on F1 was finally broken in the mid-1960s, by an Australian partnership which left a legacy of excellence.
Australian driver Jack Brabham was a two-time drivers' champion when he decided to form his own team, Brabham.
From 1962-1965 the Brabham team, that included British-Australian engineer Ron Tauranac who was instrumental in the construction of the car, punched well above its weight.
Brabham finished third in the teams' championship on two occasions, using a Coventry Climax engine.
But a change in F1 regulations in 1966, increasing the size of the engine from 1.5-litres to 3-litres, reset the field.
At the same time, engine manufacturer Coventry Climax withdrew from F1.
Knowing he needed a new engine Brabham turned to an Aussie manufacturer — Repco.
The Brabham-Repco partnership was Australia's first great success story in Formula 1," Brabham's son David, a former F1 driver himself, told ABC Sport.
"It was an inspirational achievement that proved Australians could take on the world and win at the highest level.
"That legacy helped pave the way for future generations of Aussies to chase their motorsport dreams on the global stage."
Brabham wanted his new engine to be based on the American-made Oldsmobile F85 V8, a successful engine of the time.
With that base, Repco developed the RB620 — a 280 brake-horse-power V8 engine that would propel Brabham to glory.
"No one was fully prepared for it, but Jack knew exactly what type of engine he needed and who could build it," David said.
"Brabham wasn't a big team back then, so the partnership with Repco was crucial — especially with the engine regulations changing from 1.5 to 3.0 litres for the '66 season."
It was not smooth sailing for the Australian connection at the start.
Building an F1 engine is complex, in any era, and the Brabham Repco partnership encountered issues early on. There was a belief the project may have needed to be scrapped.
"Like many others, the Repco V8 had its share of reliability issues early on, and at one point, the team came close to abandoning it," David said.
"But in a key meeting, some believed it would turn a corner, and they decided to push forward."
Few would have predicted how good a decision it was to pursue with the Repco620.
Jack Brabham would win four of the nine grands prix in the 1966 season, becoming the first and only driver to win a championship in a car of his own construction.
In 1967, it was Brabham's teammate Denny Hulme, a New Zealander, who would become world champion.
The Brabham team also claimed the constructors' championship — then known as the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers — in both seasons.
"When my father spoke about his experiences in 1966, winning his third World Drivers' Championship, you could tell the Repco connection meant a lot to him," David said.
"He felt this was his greatest achievement.
"He and Ron Tauranac made an incredible team, each drawing on the other's strengths — they were true pioneers."
By the 1968 season, other manufacturers had caught up with the Repco620.
1968 would be the last year of the all-Australian partnership, with the Brabham team turning to American powerhouse Ford for their engine.
But the two years Brabham-Repco ruled F1 were historic, memorable, and ensured Australia's place in F1's legacy.
"Jack was immensely proud that Australia took on the world and beat the likes of Ferrari, Lotus, BRM, and McLaren. It was a monumental achievement in Formula 1," David said.
"To this day, no one has ever replicated Jack's unique achievement."
