Peter Brock
Facts in Brief
In 1991, Brock and Holden patched up their relationship and were back together again.
By 1994, Brock was again a full factory driver for Holden, while also mentor to a new generation of Holden drivers in the two-make V8 Supercar formula.
In 1995, Brock was named 'Personality of the year' at the CAMS Motorsport awards.
Brock retired from full-time driving in 1997. Although Brock officially 'retired', he could not stay away from driving and competing. After his 'retirement,' he made several returns to the track and participated in many enthusiast-level events, including the one in which he died.
During 1997, he launched the Peter Brock Foundation which aimed to provide support to a wide range of community programs with particular emphasis on the aspiring, yet less fortunate youth. It adopted the motto, "The Energy for Caring"


Brock became mentor to a number of drivers including the talented Craig Lowndes
When he drove at Bathurst in 1997, it was his 29th consecutive start in the classic race.
The year after Brock "quit the circuit", he was given the honour of waving the chequered flag at the Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix won by McLaren driver Mika Hakkinen from team-mate David Coulthard.
In 1998 Peter accepted an invitation to join the Board of the Australian Grand Prix which is responsible for both the Australian Grand Prix and the Australian MotoGP.
In 2000, Peter was appointed athlete liaison officer for the Australian team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He also served in a similar position in Athens in 2004.
Peter was selected as a torch bearer for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games at Mount Panorama, Bathurst on 2nd September 2000. He also carried the Queen's Baton at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.


Brock 1997
 Commodore VR
On 24th October 2000, Peter Brock was awarded the Australian Sports Medal. This award was introduced in 1999 to recognize the sporting achievements of Australians who have made this country a nation of sporting excellence.
On 1st January 2001, Peter Brock was awarded the Centenary Medal for outstanding service to the community through fundraising.
In 2000, Peter took part in the Targa Tasmania event with his son James in a Commodore VU SS Ute, and also the Australian Safari in a Holden Jackaroo.
Brock was inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 2001. Appropriately, the other inductee for that year was an old adversary in Dick Johnson.
In 2002, he returned to top-level touring car racing as a team owner with the entry of "Team Brock" into the V8 Supercar category.


2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games
After his nominal 'retirement,' Peter made two returns to Bathurst, in 2002 and 2004.
During his Bathurst return in 2002, he was actually wheeled onto pit lane in a wheelchair by Mark Skaife. Peter, was equipped with a blanket and hot-water bottle.
He achieved a tenth Bathurst win of sorts, in 2003, when he won, with Greg Murphy, Jason Bright, and Todd Kelly, a 24-hour endurance race for "production cars" held at Bathurst.
Brock split with partner Bev Brock in May 2005 after 28 years together.
After splitting with Bev, Peter began a relationship with Julie Bamford, whom he had met through Bev some 20 years previously.


Bathurst 2002
Clowning around with Mark Skaife
Brock's daughter, Alexandra gave birth to Peter's first  grandson, Oliver on 28 June 2006.
The week before his death, Brock took part in the Goodwood Revival races in West Sussex, England.
The Daytona Coupe in which Brock was killed was a limited-production, Australian-built machine, styled after the 1965 Shelby Daytona racing cars. The $100,000-plus, virtually hand-built machine was powered by a 5.7L Holden V8 engine.
On the morning of his death, Brock spoke on Perth radio of the Daytona. "When I first drove that car ... they had it set up so that the back of the car was sliding around everywhere, and I thought, 'No, this is not going to go fast' ... So for this weekend - first time we've done it - we've actually got a pretty stable tyre-wheel-suspension combination."
Brock's fatal crash occurred at 11.50am, on the second timed stage of the event.


Peter & Bev Brock
Brock had once been quoted as saying that "he would rather throw up than drive a Ford in reverse down a driveway".  So it was just a little ironic that after his death, his casket was driven from the Melbourne airport in a Ford hearse!
Brock was finally farewelled at a state funeral at Melbourne's St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral, on 19th September 2006.
In honour of his achievements and in recognition of his contribution to Australian motor-sport, the Bathurst 1000 winner's trophy now carries his name.
Brock worked with the Victorian authorities promoting road safety and the campaign against drink driving, in particular. His race car number 05 related to the 0.05% blood alcohol limit in Victoria.
Brock has been the subject of two DVD documentaries - "The Legend" (1997 - updated 2004) and "35 Years on the Mountain" (2005).


The tree where Peter Brock was killed has become a shrine for motor sport fans
Brock's three decades behind the wheel has brought unprecedented success; nine wins on the Mountain at Bathurst, three Australian Touring Car championships, and a Round Australia Rally victory.
Brock's on-track battles with Ford stars Allan Moffat and later Dick Johnson were the stuff of legend, and they also cemented one of Australia's greatest and most enduring sporting rivalries: Holden versus Ford.
Throughout his life, Peter was a passionate supporter of the Collingwood Magpies in the AFL competition. He was also a former Director of the club. As a mark of respect, Collingwood players wore black armbands on Sunday September 10th 2006, in their elimination final against the Western Bulldogs at the M.C.G.
Peter was survived by his three children James, Robert and Alexandra. 
In his younger days, Brock was a 30-a-day smoker and also a chronic tea-drinker.


Peter was a passionate supporter of Collingwood in the AFL
Although Peter smoked and lived pretty hard in his younger days, he later became a toxin-free, yoga-practising vegan with a keen knowledge of theosophy.
The UK 'Motor Sport' magazine rated Peter Brock in the top twenty most exciting drivers of all time, a list which included the likes of Senna, Schumacher, Fangio and Nuvolari.
The British Motor Sport magazine in 2005 announced Brock as the second-best touring car driver in history.
Peter's motivational and speaking skills were in great demand. He was regularly called upon to address meetings, conventions and conferences for a diverse range of business, educational, sporting, governmental, and charity communities.
At one stage, Peter was a television presenter for the show "Police, Camera, Action."


One last journey
He often appeared on New Zealand television screens as a presenter; hosting motoring shows such as TV3's "Police Stop" (1996-1998) and TVNZ's "Love that Car" (2000).
Brock won the Bathurst 500/1000 on nine occasions: 1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1987.
He also won the Sandown Enduro event 9 times, including a string of seven consecutive wins: 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984.
His Three Australian Touring Car Championships came in 1974, 1978 and 1980.
He was also Runner-up in the ATCC five times: 1973, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1990.


TV Presenter
 "Police, Camera, Action."
During his career, Peter Brock held more pole positions and won more races than any other driver since the inception of the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1960.
Brock achieved 57 ATCC Pole Positions during his career: 52 in a Holden, 5 in a Ford.
He won a total of 37 races during his career in the Australian Touring Car/V8 Supercar championship, a record only equalled by Mark Skaife in 2006.
From Rounds 4-8 in 1979 and Rounds 1-8 in 1980 Brock achieved an amazing 13 pole positions in succession (ATCC record).
The most ATCC wins he ever achieved in a season was 5 in 1974 (ATCC record).


Bathurst 1983
The most ATCC poles he ever achieved in a season was 8 in 1980 (ATCC record).
From 1979 to 1981, Brocky had 22 front row starts in succession (ATCC record).
In ATCC events,  Brock scored a total of 2657 points (ATCC record).
Brock holds the record for the oldest driver to win an ATCC round. It came in Round 8 Wanneroo 1997 in a Holden Commodore VS.
Brock also became the oldest driver to achieve an ATCC pole position at Oran Park in 1997. He was 52y 5m 8d old.


Mark Skaife:
Beat Brock's 37 ATCC wins record
Peter Brock scored over 100 podium finishes in ATCC events. This gave him a staggering record of one podium finish for every two race starts over 25 years.
Peter Brock met each new challenge with total enthusiasm and advised all others to "Follow Your Dreams."  
During his career,  Brock had 180 starts with Holden, 16 with Ford and 9 with BMW.
Brock's success in the Australian Touring Car Championship was extremely impressive. In addition to three national titles, when Brock retired he held the record for the most starts, the most round wins, the most pole positions and the most podium finishes in ATCC history.
In addition to being tagged with the titles "Peter Perfect" and "King of the Mountain," Brock was also called the "Bradman of Bathurst."  It was a title that did not sit well with Peter.
 


 

Part 2

   

Brock pushes his Holden Torana XU1 through a left-hander at the Adelaide International Raceway.
   

Brock and Dick Johnson go wheel to wheel at Calder Park in 1966. His clashes with Johnson were a feature of ATCC races during the 1980s.

His other great adversary was Allan Moffat from the 1970s. In 1986 Brock and Moffat teamed up to win the Wellington 500. It was their first race together.
   

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2006 Peter Brock drove Holden’s first car, the 48-215 (known as the FX).
   


 

"Peter Brock was an absolute legend of motor racing in Australia. Peter will be sadly missed by his fans, the motor sport fraternity and the many people and groups he supported. Peter Brock's commitment to road safety has also had a significant influence on all Australians."

Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard

"He was a constant searcher for perfection and therefore was a pretty hard taskmaster on himself. So he never stopped striving for what was better, what was greater. If he could have waved a magic wand and made the world right, he would have." 

Former partner of 28 years, Bev Brock

"I am completely devastated. Peter Brock was my mentor and friend. He taught me an enormous amount about racing and about life. I owe so much of where I am now to him. He had time for everyone. He touched everyone. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to team up with my idol and learn from the best. He'll always be remembered as Peter Perfect."

V8 Supercar driver, Craig Lowndes

"He was the guy that all young guys aimed at emulating. Peter always made time for his fans and understood how important it was to spend time with them and what they meant to our industry. At his best, Brock was the ultimate racing driver. Brocky was Australia's motorsport icon and the legendary ambassador for our sport."

Five-time Bathurst champion, Mark Skaife

"Brock was a true Australian legend, with his touring car racing achievements ingrained in national folklore.  More than that, Peter Brock was an example off the track to aspiring race car drivers, enthusiasts and all Australians with his humility, professionalism and passion.'' 

Former Federal Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley

"There will probably never be another person like Brocky. Peter Brock is what Australian motor-sport is all about, he is the one, early on, that set all the records and the records he set I doubt they will ever be matched." 

Fellow driver and former HDT team-mate, Jim Richards

"This is really quite difficult actually. Since there are few words to explain how I feel at this time I am left shattered. Peter and I were on an exceptional journey of love and growth within a committed relationship. He saw no limitations and lived life to the absolute fullest. Being a public figure his life was not always private, however he had a total willingness to be able to inspire others. I will love him forever."

Partner, Julie Bamford

"Peter Brock led from the front on the track and he led from the front on road safety.  I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Peter Brock." 
 

Victoria Premier, Steve Bracks

 

Peter Brock in a pensive mood
   

The Brock family in 1991
Back: Alexandra and James
Centre: Bev and Peter
Front: Robert

Peter Brock in front of the portrait of himself at the Victorian Arts Centre for the Archibald Prize Exhibition in  November 2004.

   

The year after he retired from racing, Peter was given the honour of waving the chequered flag at the Australia Formula One Grand Prix won narrowly by McLaren driver Mika Hakkinen from teammate David Coulthard.

 

Brock's Nine Bathurst Wins
1972
 Torana XU-1		 1975
 Torana L34		 1978
 Torana A9X
1979
 Torana A9X		 1980
 Commodore VC		 1982
 Commodore VH
1983
 Commodore VH		 1984
 Commodore VK		 1987
 Commodore VL

"What Others Said" (Continued)

"I had a lot of battles with him on the racetrack and he was fair. You could trust the bloke and that was the difference. I wish we could say it was like that now but unfortunately it's not. He was one driver when you were racing against him, you knew you could trust him."
 

V8 Supercars champion, Russell Ingall

"It's hit me hard and I think it'll hit everybody hard.  I don't think it's really sunken in yet, to be honest. He really was one of the great racing icons of this country, and he'll be missed by thousands. To say it comes as a shock is an understatement. I mean I was actually racing with Peter on the weekend at Goodwood in England, and I saw him on Monday night at Heathrow when we both flew home, so it comes as a tremendous shock." 

Australia's last Formula One world champion, Alan Jones

"I can only say that I am shocked beyond belief by the news that my former great opponent and good friend, Peter Brock, has been killed during an event in Western Australia. He was doing what he loved to do but even so, it beggars belief that one week can claim two great Australian icons - both too young."

Former Ford rival, Allan Moffat

"He was just my dad. He was an absolute dag, he told the worst dad jokes.  He was one of those really transparent kind of people in the public eye who the public saw him as who he was, which was a really genuine, compassionate and amazing person."

Daughter, Alexandra Brock

"We always had a great respect for one another, and that would never change. Unlike this day and age, we ran wheel to wheel for year after year after year, and never even swapped paint once. He was always a fair racer -  because he wasn't about to do anything that would jeopardise where you were. You could be around the outside of him, in the wrong place, and he wasn't going to empty you off the road."

Former Ford rival, Dick Johnson

"I can't remember going to a Bathurst race without seeing Peter, whether as a spectator or a driver. The place just won't be the same anymore. He was the most popular, the most achieved, the best driver this country's had. I mean, he's the king of the mountain and he always will be remembered that way."

V8 Supercars driver, Jason Bargwanna

"Peter's loss for motor sport is enormous but his loss to the entire community is even bigger than that. There are a lot of people in Australia, whether they were involved in motor sport or not, who feel as though they have a real connection with Peter Brock. Peter was not a person who was cavalier about safety, quite the contrary. Peter certainly set a real example in that regard."  

CAMS President, Colin Osbourne

"He was professional, years ahead of anyone else and his record in the championship and Bathurst clearly shows that. Peter was one of the toughest racers on the track. However, away from the track he was a great bloke. He was always generous in his support for other drivers. For me he was always a great helping hand and it's those attributes that I will remember the most." 

Glenn Seton, Two-time Australian touring car champion
   

The master looking a little ragged after a stint behind the wheel.

Peter reunited with the Austin A30 that started it all happening.
   
 

Full Name: Peter Geoffrey Brock
Date of Birth: 26 February, 1945
Date of Death: 8 September 2006
Place of Birth: Hurstbridge, Victoria
Parents: Ruth and Geoffrey
Sons: James and Robert
Daughter: Alexandra
Resided: Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Professional racing driver
Vehicle: Holden Commodore (mostly)
Nicknames: Brocky (Brockie), Peter Perfect, King of the Mountain, Bradman of Bathurst
Australian Touring Car Championship Debut: Round 2, 1972 - Calder
Australian Touring Car Champion: 1974, 1978, 1980
ATCC Runner-up: 1973, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1990
ATCC Starts: 205 - 180 Holden, 16 Ford, 9 BMW (ATCC record)
ATCC Wins: 37 (ATCC record) 1972-1997
ATCC 2nd: 46 (ATCC record) ATCC 3rd: 27 (ATCC record)
ATCC Podium finishes: 110 (ATCC record)
ATCC Points Scored:  2657 (ATCC record)
ATCC Pole Positions: 57 - 52 Holden, 5 Ford (ATCC record)
ATCC 1st Win: Round 5, 1973: Surfers Paradise:  Holden Torana GTR XU1
ATCC Last Win: Round 8, 1997: Wanneroo: Holden Commodore VS 
ATCC Wins from Pole: 22 (ATCC record)
Bathurst Wins: 9 wins
1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980,1982, 1983, 1984, 1987
Bathurst Runner-Up: 5 Times: 1973, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1990
Sandown Wins: 9 wins
1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984
Bathurst 24 Hour Race: 2003
Repco Round Australia Trial Winner: 1979
Australian Hill Climb Champion: 1968

Australian Rally Cross Champion: 1970
Member of the Order of Australia: 9th June 1980
Australian Sports Medal: 24 October 2000
Centenary Medal: 1st January 2001
   
   
Portraits of a Champion

Peter Brock: Dressed for business

Brock listens to his crew
   
   
In 1976, Peter drove this BMW 3.5 Csi at Le Mans for Bill Patterson Racing.
The BMW was a high tech purpose built weapon of the day.  

One of the outstanding features of Peter Brock's career in motor sport was that he very rarely crashed.  Throughout his long career, he truly was, Peter Perfect.  Even on the rare occasions when he was involved in an accident, he was never seriously injured. This is why it was so hard for Australians to accept that he had been killed in a motoring accident.

So as we still try to come to terms with his tragic death, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the life of Peter Brock and examine the legacy that he has left behind.

To begin with, Peter Brock was a driver of extraordinary talent. Anyone who wins nine Bathurst 500/1000 races, nine Sandown classics, three Australian Touring Car Championships, Repco Round Australia Trial, Australian Hill Climb Championship, Australian Rally Cross Championship and a Bathurst 24 Hour race must be a driver with exceptional qualities and unique talents. It will be a long time before anyone can match Peter Brock's career achievements.

The next thought that comes to mind is that Peter Brock was admired not only for his achievements on the track, but also for the unselfish work he did in the community. The endless hours he devoted to charity and in particular to the Peter Brock Foundation established in 1997, will never be forgotten. Thankfully, there is an active contingent of dedicated people who has already committed to ensuring that the work of the Foundation will continue into the future.

Throughout his life, Peter exhibited charm, charisma and possessed a genuine flair to connect with people, particularly the ordinary racing fan. There was also a larrikin streak in Brocky that appealed to the Australian people. Those that met him remember a warmth and sincerity, and felt Brocky displayed a genuine interest in them. He listened to what they had to say. Peter always found time for his adoring fans and over the years he built up a wonderful rapport with them.

The sport of V8 Supercars owes Peter Brock an enormous debt. Brock's skill, personality and rivalries with Allan Moffat in the 1970s, and Dick Johnson in the 1980s, did so much to build up the supporter base of the sport. These great tussles also helped to attract sponsorship and commercial backing that provided the necessary support to ensure the sport's long term viability. Brock's input, success and marketability were crucial factors in the expansion of the sport and one of the main reasons for the continued success of the V8 Supercar series today.

Brocky will also be remembered for his work with road safety. His identification with the race number 05 had a lot to do with raising public awareness of the dangers of drink driving. His road safety message reached out into the community and probably impacted most on the younger Australians.

Finally, Sports Card World believes that Peter Brock not only enriched our lives, but he was also an inspiration and role model for young and old Australians alike. The positive way he took on every new challenge with commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism, stands as an example for us all.  Wherever Peter went, his advice to others  was simple. "Follow Your Dreams."  It was the simple message he wrote when anyone asked for his autograph. It was the simple message he passed on to people who were fortunate enough to meet him, particularly the younger fans. And it was definitely the guiding principle in his own life.

Thank-you Peter. You made a positive difference in our lives and you will always be remembered with affection. Sports Card World hopes that your life and your example will be a source of inspiration for future generations of Aussie sports stars to follow their dreams and realize their true potential.


Peter in his HDT Holden Torana LC XU1 during a rallycross meeting in 1971

 

2003 Peter Brock
Mr. Super Cool

Peter Brock : 2005
Goodwood Festival of Speed