Kevin Bartlett (race driver)
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Kevin Bartlett (born May 25, 1940), often known by his nickname "KB", is an Australian former open wheel and touring car racing driver who won the CAMS Gold Star in 1968 and 1969, as well as the prestigious Bathurst 1000.
[edit] Racing career
Bartlett first arrived on the Australian racing scene in 1958 when he competed in the Touring Car Scratch Race at Bathurst, driving a 950cc Morris Minor. Over the next few years, Bartlett progressed through the levels of Australian motorsport before his big break came when he was hired to drive for 1960 Australian Grand Prix winner Alec Mildren in the Tasman Series of open wheel racing. Bartlett proved competitive in this.
In 1970, Bartlett traveled to the United States to compete in the USAC Championship (aka Indy Car)series, attemtping and failing to quailfy for the Indianapolis '500.' Bartlett competed in three other Indy Car races, but failed to finish.
Bartlett was signed on to co-drive with John Goss in the 1973 Bathurst 1000, in a brand-new Ford Falcon XA Hardtop. They qualified on pole position for the race and led for over three-and-a-half hours, but failed to finish. They returned the following year and won the event with Bartlett holding off the Bob Forbes Torana and bringing the Goss Falcon home with a memorable drive in the rain.
Bartlett gained notoriety during the Bathurst race in 1982 when his famous Channel 9-sponsored Chevrolet Camaro flipped over after suffering tyre failure on the entrance to Griffin's Bend.
Bartlett's autobiography entitled "Big Rev Kev" was published in 1983.
[edit] Honours
- Bartlett was named in Wheels magazine's annual yearbook in 2004 as one of Australia's 50 greatest race drivers. He placed #15 on the list.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jan Bussell |
Macau GP winner 1969 |
Succeeded by Dieter Quester |
| Preceded by Allan Moffat Ian Geoghegan |
Winner of the Bathurst 1000 1974 (with John Goss) |
Succeeded by Peter Brock Brian Sampson |
| Preceded by Spencer Martin |
Winner of the Australian Drivers' Championship 1968 and 1969 |
Succeeded by Leo Geoghegan |
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