Holden HDT Commodore 1982 News

About 10,000 people today packed the raceway where Brock, killed in a rally in Western Australia two weeks ago, won nine Endurance classics.They heard from contempories including teammate John Harvey and team owner Fred Gibson, as well as from Mark Skaife, the five-time Supercar champion.Ford driver Allan Moffet, who was Brock's major rival in race tracks around the country during the 1970s, choked back tears as he spoke of his friendship with the Holden legend.Skaife, who inherited Brock's leading role in the Holden team, described the nine-times Bathurst champion as a driver who had an amazing ability."He had flair, flamboyance, determination and creativity," Skaife said.As part of the tributes, Brock's son James drove a lap of honour in a replica of his father's Austin A30, in which he first sprang to prominence.As the Austin crossed the line, Brock's daughter Alexandra waved the chequered flag.

Federal MP Fran Bailey led the tributes this morning after family and friends gathered at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral and hundreds of fans poured into nearby Federation Square for a live broadcast of the service. She said "Peter was down to Earth, a straight-shooter", who cared deeply about his local community, the environment and Indigenous issues and had "an almost self-deprecating sense of humour". "Peter's incredible success as a racing legend was integral to his public persona, but Peter was a man of many dimensions," she said. "Live life to the full, make it happen but always give something back to others" was his philosophy. "Many of us will remember him for his enthusastic kindness." Former Collingwood footballer Peter Daicos told the congregation: "I loved his humour, he made you feel at home whenever you were around him. "He was my idol, but he was everyone's friend. (I want to) thank him for being so real." Race commentator and former touring car driver Neil Compton said Brock didn't like funerals. "Peter absolutely hated funerals and the halo of sadness that hovered over them. "There was absolutely no room for misery or the negative in Peter's world, so we'd all better straighten up right now." He said the racing star was "life-enhancing" and "life was better for having Peter as a part of it". "He was truly a man of the people. Fans he generated 30 years ago kept coming back. He spent hours signing autographs and chatting, particularly with young fans. "But Peter Perfect was not perfect actually. He was human and he had human feelings." "He found it easy to engage with fans, but sometimes found it hard to express himself, even to his family." Mr Compton told Brock's children that their father was enormously proud of them, even if he wasn't always able to tell them. Hundreds of fans who could not get into the service, filled nearby Federation Square for the live broadcast. Holden's trademark red and black was dotted among the crowd, and many of the mourners carried flowers. Sporting luminaries and politicians joined Brock's partner Julie Bamford, former partner Bev Brock and other family members inside the cathedral for the 11am service, which was shown live on TV. A new Holden VZ Statesman hearse adorned with BROCKY number plates provided by a fan delivered Brock's coffin to the cathedral earlier this morning. The coffin was draped in the Australian flag and decorated with Australian native flowers. Brock was killed when the car he was driving hit a tree during the Targa West rally near Perth on September 8.

As the tributes and tears flowed for the most celebrated racing driver in Australia inside a packed St Pauls Cathedral in Melbourne yesterday, a crowd of almost 10,000 jammed Federation Square across the road to watch Brocks State funeral on a giant screen. At the end of the service which lasted almost two hours, Alexandra led the procession from the altar, her eyes glazed over, sobbing occasionally as she walked down the aisle cradling her dads famous helmet. "He was the most genuine person I’ve ever come across," Alexandra said in a moving tribute which prompted mourners to break out into spontaneous applause. "How do you put into words something about a man like him. You just cant, she said tears running her her cheeks." Earlier tributes were delivered by former racing driver, Network 10 commentator Neil Crompton who recounted some of the more light hearted moments in Brocks professional career that spanned almost 40 years. Among the mourners were Victorian premier Steve Bracks, the leader of the Federal Opposition Kim Beazley, former opposition leader John Hewson, Melbourne Lord Mayor John So and Federal Sports Minister Rod Kemp who represented Prime Minister John Howard. Some of Australia’s leading motor racing identities including motorcycle world champion and V8 Supercar driver Wayne Gardner, Dick Johnson, Allan Moffat, Colin Bond and John Harvey transcended the eras. From other sports fields were swimmers Matt Welsh and Brooke Hansen as well as former marathon man Steve Moneghetti. Earlier Collingwood great Peter Daicos spoke of the man he met for the first time in 1983 who was his all-time hero. One of the common threads to come out of the service was that Brock was a conduit to all people, a man who could give his time to all walks of life. He was a passionate Collingwood supporter and former board member of the AFL club who embodied everything that Australia stood for honesty, integrity and always striving for perfection. "He was a great man, a superb athlete and a tremendous visionary," brother Lewis Brock said. Lewis led eight speakers at the service in front of Brocks children Alexandra, Robert and James. Former partner of 28 years Bev Brock and his new partner Julie Bamford were at the head of the procession which left the cathedral. It was a perfect service for a man nicknamed Peter Perfect for his racing exploits however his personal life was far from the glossy public image that had been created by careful PR massaging over the years. Brocks wayward ways were touched on at the service which included his split from Holden in the late 1980s over his belief in an Energy Polariser that he believed had magical powers of engine performance. And then there was the time Brock believed that aliens had landed on his property at Hurtsbridge on the outskirts of Melbourne. Old rival Dick Johnson maintained his long held admiration of Brock as being one of the fairest drivers he’s raced against. A large crowd of fans were the last filter into the cathedral, many wearing Brock clothing, dozens donning Holden gear. These are resilient people who at various times throughout the service were misty eyed and they were not alone. Ford fans were also touched by the emotional service. Brocks personality reached out a touched millions of Australians through his generosity and genuine human interest. He did a lot for charity, the environment and the aboriginal people. Aunty Joy Murphy, an elder with the Wurundjeri People said the legendary driver had a genuine hunger to learn more at the aboriginal culture. "Our people will always remember him and in death he won’t walk alone," she said. Brock left on his final road journey on a hot sunny day in Melbourne, the cortege leaving the Flinders St Cathedral for a private cremation. His casket was carried to a specially prepared Holden hearse by James, Robert, Neil, Lewis, Philip, David and Alexander Brock and friend Dr Eric Dowker. The King of the Mountain was a mountain of a man who left a mountain of memories. Long live the King. Gordon Lomas is a senior writer on CARSguide and The Courier Mail.

A state funeral is being held for the man known as Peter Perfect at St Paul's Cathedral at 11am (AEST). Sporting luminaries and politicians will join the Brock family inside the cathedral, with thousands more expected to pack Federation Square to watch a live broadcast of the service. A new Holden VZ Statesman hearse adorned with BROCKY number plates provided by a fan will travel down Flinders St just before 11am, escorted by six police motorcycle riders. The Brock family, which will include Peter's former partner Bev Brock and new partner Julie Bamford, will follow in a fleet of 12 new Holdens to St Paul's. Fans will be able to say their goodbyes to the nine-times Bathurst winner by lining Flinders St east of the cathedral. Brock was killed when the car he was driving hit a tree during the Targa West rally near Perth on September 8. The funeral service will run for about 90 minutes. Federal MP Fran Bailey will begin the tributes. She will be followed by Collingwood great Peter Daicos and racing caller Neil Crompton. A didgeridoo will play a tribute to the "king of the mountain" and Brock's close friend Dr Eric Dowker will also speak at the service. Daughter Alexandra Brock will pay tribute on behalf of the family and brother Neil Brock will read scripture. The Dean of St Paul's, the Very Reverend David Richardson, will read a sermon and the hymn Abide With Me will bring the memorial to a close. Premier Steve Bracks, Lord Mayor John So and Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley will attend the funeral. They will be joined by champion touring car drivers Craig Lowndes, Dick Johnston, Larry Perkins, Allan Moffat and Russell Ingall. Other sporting greats will include swimmer Grant Hackett and basketballer Andrew Gaze, British Open golf winner Ian Baker-Finch and marathon runner Steve Moneghetti. Liberal leader Ted Baillieu is sending Education spokesman Martin Dixon to represent him. Federal Sports Minister Rod Kemp will represent Prime Minister John Howard. Son James Brock said he would carry the casket and Brock's daughter, Alexandra, would carry the state wreath. The racing champion's body will be carried to the cathedral in a simple coffin with one of his helmets on top of an Australian flag. The service will be shown live by channels Seven, Nine and the ABC. James said he was overwhelmed by the show of public support. "Obviously it's just overwhelming. We never expected this much support from all the public. It has been just lovely," he said. The support of fans had helped the family get through the tough time.

Brock was competing in the Targa West Rally at Gidgegannup about 30km from Perth. The Targa West Rally has racers racing against time over closed public roads and on special stages at race circuits. Brock's car was understood to be so far off the road at the time of crashing that witnesses say six competitors cars had driven past the crashed vehicle without noticing it. Brock's co-driver Mick Hone is said to be in critical condition after their Daytona Coupe hit a tree. Brock is experienced at driving the full roll-caged Daytona Coupe, described as an "odd looking" car that is all front and no back. Witnesses at the scene said a crash investigation unit was called before an ambulance had been despatched. Brock was 61 years old. No other cars are believed to have been involved. The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) said in a statement the accident occurred at about 1.50pm (AEST). Sixty-one-year-old Brock's co-driver, believed to Mick Hone, has been taken to hospital in a stable condition. CAMS said it will conduct a full investigation into the incident. In the meantime, CAMS and event officials are working with the relevant civil authorities. "On behalf of the motor sport community, CAMS offers its sincere sympathy to Peter's family and many friends," the statement said. Targa West is a tarmac special stage rally. Brock was a dominant figure in Australian motor sport, winning the Bathurst 1000, Australia's most prominent domestic motorsport event, a total of nine times through the 1970s and 80s. He won six Bathurst 1000 wins in seven years, including his victory in the 1979 event, which he won by a record six laps. He retired from full-time driving in 1997. Since 1997, he had made two return visits to Bathurst in 2002 and 2004 and returned to top-level touring car racing as a team owner of "Team Brock'' in 2002 in the V8 Supercar category. A year later he sold his share in the team to Kees Weel. In recent years, he occasionally competed in various motorsport events such as the Targa Tasmania.

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. My thoughts and sincere condolences go to his loved ones. Allan Moffat.

His achievements earned him the nickname "King of the Mountain". He was also dubbed "Peter Perfect" after holding more pole positions and winning more races than anyone since the start of the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1960. Brock’s pedigree in racing also ran in the family, his great-great-uncle Henry James the founder of the RACV and organiser of Australia’s first ever motorsport event. Brock debuted in a homemade sports sedan in 1967. The converted Austin A30 - built in a henhouse - put him on the map with more than 100 wins, including the Australian Sports Sedan Championship. The racing driver, who later became synonymous with Holden’s racing prowess, won his big break in 1969, when the new Holden Dealer Team’s manager Harry Firth offered him a seat in a Holden Monaro GTS 350. He was third in that race and three years later driving a Torana XU1, won his first Bathurst title. In 1980, Brock established the Special Vehicles unit, which went on to build 4000 highly sought-after "Brock Special" vehicles. Brock retired from full-time V8 Supercar racing in 1997, firmly establishing himself as one of Australia's sporting greats. The UK Motor Sport magazine rated Peter Brock as among the top 20 most exciting drivers of all time. Brock spent his "retirement" with charity fund-raising and targa-style tarmac racing. He also supported road safety initiatives and created the Peter Brock Foundation, which has a focus on helping disadvantaged youth. For a time, Brock was also on the Australian Grand Prix board, which he joined in 1998, and was sought for his skills as a motivational speaker.

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 The five biggest wins at Bathurst 1979 - Brock/Richards Torana beat Janson/Perkins by 6 laps + 1m 36.5s 1975 - Brock/Sampson Torana beat Morris/Gardner by 2 laps + 1m 11s 1984 - Brock/Perkins Commodore beat Harvey/Parsons by 2 laps + 0.6s 1978 - Brock/Richards Torana beat Grice/Leffler by 1 lap + 2m3.4s

"I WAS born and bred in a little Victorian country town called Hurstbridge, and my family didn't have a whole lot of money. "My dad was a very gifted mechanic and he taught me all about machinery; the fundamental basics of a car, mechanical sympathy. "He also took me to car races, but we never had any money, so I built myself a car. "It was me and my mates out in the chookhouse at mum and dad's house. We got this rocket together, it was a real rocket, and we made it there in the old chookhouse and every now and again dad would come out and give us the nod. "I was fortunate to have a father who supported me no matter what I did, who allowed me to be myself, and a mother who instilled in me a sense of achieving a goal. "Mum was a very competitive person, she was an excellent sportswoman, a Victorian tennis champion. "Mum, I guess, was one of those people who was brought up in a household where if you didn't succeed in doing something, you weren't exactly flavour of the month with your parents and I guess that rubbed off on me. "It gave me that need to strive to achieve those levels in order to gain recognition from my parents. "That's not necessarily a healthy thing in many respects, but to give my parents their due, it made me, me. "When I was growing up I think I was a wildly enthusiactic child. "I was into running the fastest, jumping the highest and if someone gave me a double dare, I'd take it. "Fortunately my parents allowed me to be me and although thery surely despaired sometimes at the risks I took, I would have to say I owe then a great deal of debt because they allowed me to explore life without any sense of guilt or recrimination. "So when it came to to getting behind the wheel of a racing car, I took to it like a duck to water. "That car we built in the chookshed was a little Austin A30, with a Holden engine, and while it certainly wasn't a slick piece of machinery, it got me racing, it got me on the track and it got me noticed by the people who counted". One of those people was Holden Team manager, Harry Firth, who spotted the Brock talent early and asked the young gun to drive for Holden in the 1969 Bathurst 500. "I was in my early 20's and when he said "I'd like you to race at Bathurst", I knew it was my big break. "I got out there and took that opportunity by the throat. "I listened, I watched, I absorbed and I did what I was told. "That was when a great change came over me and knew I could no longer be this brash young kid who knew it all. "I had a sense of the occasion and I respected the race. I decided to go from an intuitive sense of just getting out there and doing. "I saw it a bit like an artist, I saw the race track like a canvas and I was painting it. So yes, I think I saw it a bit differently from the other kids." Brock quickly rose through the ranks, and with each win his fame grew, both on the circuit and off. The 1970s and 80s were heady times for the young driver and he admits there were times when he didn't handle the pressure well. He credits his wife Beverly and his three children James, Robert and Alexandra for bringing a healthy perspective into his life. "As you go through life, you have these moments of floundering. You go though one relationship after another (Brock has been married once before to former Miss Australia, Michelle Downes) and there's all this drama in your life. "It's very difficult to have a relationship with someone like me who has an all-consuming passion. "If you love someone who is right into something, it's most difficult for a partner to understand that, no matter how much they love you. "It occupies every facet of your being, so I was very fortunate finding Bev, because she understood. "Bev came along and I don't know, I had some sort of innate sense that said; "This woman is a very good woman and will give you some direction in your life'. "I thought: 'She's going to give me a sense of steadiness and understanding. She will give you a sense of harmony and balance rather than just running from pillar to post and hoping it works'. "So Bev's made an enormous difference in my life. "When we first met she was going through a marriage break-up with a guy interstate and a guy who worked for me knew her former husband "We knew each other socially for a year or two before we got together and gradually found ourselves together. "We were as surprised as anybody to find we were together. "She wasn't the woman I held as the ideal woman in my eyes and I probably wasn't the ideal man in hers. "She came from an academic background and here was this race driver and here's Bev who is a very attractive, but unglamorous sort of woman I had known. "She's instilled in me a sense of compassion and concern for others, which I didn't have as a young man. I'd crush over anyone to get what I wanted." But if Bev keeps him sane, his kids keep him young. "Oh my kids are full-on." * Peter Brock Excerpt from The Sunday Telegraph written by Frances Whiting