Brabham BT62 cuts sub-2 minute lap at Bathurst, threatens outright lap record

BRABHAM’S Adelaide-built BT62 supercar has been running at Mount Panorama as part of the on-track entertainment for the Bathurst 12 Hour, and is already nipping at the heels of the outright track record.

Following a pair of demonstrations laps at the hands of Luke Youlden, the track-only supercar managed a staunch 1:59.36 lap around the 6.2-kilometre circuit.

Read next: 2019 Brabham BT62: in depth

Today the Brabham BT62 became the first car to go around the Mount Panorama track twice under the sacred 2 min lap time with a best time of 1.59.36, a mere 0.07 off the lap record in what was only exhibition laps - watch this space #bathurst12hour @bathurst12hr #bt62 pic.twitter.com/OPbaOD1tJP

— Brabham Automotive (@brabhamauto) January 31, 2019

The outright official lap record at Mount Panorama is a 1:59.291 set by Christopher Mies in an Audi R8 Ultra GT3 that was not running to Balance of Performance specs (no restrictors or weight ballast).

Jenson Button recorded a 1:48.88 in a MP4-23 Formula 1 car during an exhibition event in 2011. However, this time is unofficial, much like the Brabham’s, as it did not occur during a sanctioned race event.

Powered by a 522kW mid-mounted naturally-aspirated V8, and weighing just 972kg, the BT62 has more power and less weight than a GT3 car, along with plenty of aero.

.@brabsracer laps ⁦@Bathurst12hour⁩ - quickly and loudly in the awesome ⁦@brabhamauto⁩ BT62 pic.twitter.com/hEPjlxtrlB

— Graham Goodwin (@dsceditor) January 31, 2019

It’s likely the Aussie supercar will be capable of beating Mies’ record with more running during the Bathurst 12 Hour weekend.

David Brabham spoke to Graham Goodwin, the editor of dailysportscar.com, confirming the BT62 was threatening the outright record.

“We had a telemetry problem but it was close to the track record - certainly under 2 minutes,” Brabham said.

So how fast - untimed session "Oh pretty quick - we had a telemetry problem but it was close to the track record - certainly under 2 minutes" @brabsracer

— Graham Goodwin (@dsceditor) January 31, 2019

But even if the BT62 does dip below the time set by Mies, which lays just 0.07 of a second out of reach at the time of writing, it won’t be recognised as an official lap record.

As the BT62 doesn’t conform to the regulations of any current racing category, the car would have to return late in the year for the Challenge Bathurst event to usurp the Audi’s time and be officially crowned the King of the Mountain.

Read: What you missed at the 2018 Adelaide Motorsport Festival

Brabham claims the BT62 is the only car to have completed more than a single lap under the 2-minute barrier, having run consecutive 1:59 laps – Mies only achieved the feat once.