Bob Brooks, the driving force behind Applied Friction Techniques, Inc [AFT], died suddenly on August 29, 2014. Brooks was 73.
Brook is survived by wife Gail and son Roger; daughter-in law Sara Brooks (wife of deceased son Stephen) and their grandchildren Brayden, 8; Colton and Jackson, 6;
A former driver, Brooks began to specialize in the development of internal racing parts when he formed Brooks Racing Components (BRC) in 1971 and then focused his expertise on advancement in clutch management systems when he founded AFT in 1986.
Bob Brooks, the driving force behind Applied Friction Techniques, Inc [AFT], died suddenly on August 29, 2014. Brooks was 73.
Brook is survived by wife Gail and son Roger; daughter-in law Sara Brooks (wife of deceased son Stephen) and their grandchildren Brayden, 8; Colton and Jackson, 6;
A former driver, Brooks began to specialize in the development of internal racing parts when he formed Brooks Racing Components (BRC) in 1971 and then focused his expertise on advancement in clutch management systems when he founded AFT in 1986.
Brooks worked closely with Dale Armstrong, and had a hands-on involvement with multi-world champions such as Kenny Bernstein and Don Prudhomme. He also served as a crewchief for several other operations. Brooks’ expertise has had a tremendous impact many teams, ranging from the Top Alcohol ranks to the nitro-burning Funny Cars and Top Fuelers.
Armstrong remembered his good friend.
“When there was a defined need by a racing competitor, such as lock up clutches, fuel control devices, etc,” said Armstrong. “Bob was unique in his ability to design and manufacture those specific needs at the request of nitro and alcohol competitors. To better control the lock up clutch and also to control the fuel system, Bob and his engineer collaborator Don Jackson would jump right on the project, and the end result was a very nice array of products. He also made lock up fingers, floaters, flywheels, clutch discs; adjustable pressure plate stands, the fuel control slide valve, the fuel control pressure regulator, all very professionally produced and packaged.
“Bob was a very good person to have as an assistant crew chief to bounce ideas around with and many times he came up with a very competitive set-up necessary to get the horsepower to the track.
“He also helped make the job of racing fun. I had many enjoyable years with him and I will miss being able to talk to him. We still talked frequently. There was only one Bob Brooks.”
There are no formal funeral arrangements at this time.
