Peter Brock, 1945 - 2006

Peter Brock, Motor Racing Legend 1945 - 2006.

For the second time in a week Australia is reeling from the loss of
a legend, only days after the tragic death of Steve Irwin in a freak
sting-ray incident we have lost another legend.

Peter Brock died more predictably when his Chevrolet Rally Car hit
a tree on a wet road on a sharp bend while competing in the
Targa West Rally in West Australia.

Brock was widely known as Peter Perfect for his uncanny skills as
a driver, in a career spanning 37 years his success on the race
tracks of Australia were to create the Brock legend.

The premier race here is the Bathurst 1000 held annually on the
Mt. Panorama circuit, Brock had his first drive at the Mountain
as a 24 year old in 1969 he had his first victory in 1972.

Between 1972 and 1987 he won 9 times to become known as
the “King of the Mountain” during this period he was also the
Australian Touring Car Champion 3 times and runner-up 5 times.

His record also included 9 wins at the Sandown Enduro between
1973 – 1984 and a Repco Round Australia Trial in 1979.

Born in Hurstbridge, country Victoria in 1945, Brock grew up in
a family passionate about cars.

His father owned and ran a local garage, and the duo combined
to launch Peter's racing career with an Austin A30 – built in a
old henhouse and using a Holden engine – in 1967.

Brock's racing potential was first noticed by the manager of the
fledgling Holden Dealer Team Harry Firth, who offered the 24-
year-old a drive in a Monaro at Bathurst in 1969.

Three years later, Brock had won the first of his nine Bathursts
in a Torana XU-1.

Brock was at the height of his powers by the late 1970s –
arguably his greatest Bathurst triumph coming alongside
co-driver Jim Richards in 1979.

The duo crushed their rivals in a Torana A9-X in a victory which
earned him the nickname Peter Perfect.

Even people with no interest in motor racing were caught up in
the magic that was Peter Perfect.

FACTS:

Nickname: Peter Perfect

Date of Birth: 26 February, 1945

Resided: Victoria, Australia

Sons: James and Robert

Daughter: Alexandra

Occupation: Professional racing driver

Team: Team Brock

Vehicle: Holden Commodore (mostly)


CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Bathurst Enduro: 9 wins, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980,
1982, 1983, 1984, 1987

Australian Touring Car Champion: 3 times, 1974, 1978, 1980

Runner-up: 5 times, 1973, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1990.

Sandown Enduro: 9 wins, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978,
1979, 1980, 1981, 1984

Repco Round Australia Trial: Winner 1979

"Brocky" on his way to winning the 1979 Round Australia Rally,
we were in Central Australia when the Rally came through, this
was the closest I ever got to him. His rapport with the crowds
was at least partly because he would talk with his fans and sign
autographs for hours at a time.