Olivetti Brabham-BMW 1986    

Amidst all the excitement and anticipation when Elio took the new Brabham BMW BT55 out onto the scorching Jacarepagua track for the first practice session on March 23rd 1986, he could never have known that just 2 months later his life would be tragically cut short.  Given the short duration of races that he competed in during the 1986 season, pictures taken of Elio in the BT55 have became pictures to cherish.  I feel that these pictures remind us all of a brave project - being driven by an even braver man.

Elio gets caught out in the wet during BT54 testing at EstorilElio points the way at the 1986 opening race at RioTesting times for Elio and Riccardo Patrese at Rio pre-season shakedown tests 1986_elio_portraitupclose.jpg (63104 bytes)Riccardo Patrese and Elio try to figure out the BT55Elio at Speed in the Brabham BT55 at BrazilElio in the stunning new Brabham BT55 waits to leave the pits at RioDe Angelis in a thoughtful mood at Rio Elio 3 wheels back to the pits during the Brazilian GP, after a wheel detached after a pitstop. Another shot of the 3 wheel drama!A pensive looking Elio in the Brabham pit during the Spanish GP at JerezElio with Engineer John Gentry Elio steers the broken-down Brabham back the to garage.......and ponders the reliability of the unreliable machine!Striking shot of the BT55 in the pits at San Marino Elio and Gordon Murray discuss BT55 issues on the grid at San MarinoElio enters Acqua Minerali at speedSmiling through tough times - Elio in 1986The BT55 at San Marino, a race Elio won the previous year. He retired on lap 17 with no boostThe BT55 gets away from Elio during qualifying at San MarinoElio snapped at San Marino, 1986 A great closeup of Elio in the BT55 at speedThe last race - Elio in the Brabham BT55, Monaco 1986Elio negociates the Loews cornerNice overhead shot of Elio at harbour chicaneElio rounds the new for 1986 harbour chicaneGreat shot of Elio rounding TabacFull on shot of Elio approaching the Mirabeau cornerElio receives some close attention from the Brabham mechanics during his last GP at MonacoOverhead shot of Elio at Monaco in 1986, probably taken at the first right-hander after the pits

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