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CARSguide reader Adam Pawlowski let us know that he was keen to share his YBROCK plated ute with other fans, so he is the inaugural entrant. Send us your favourite memorabilia and we'll preserve it in our Peter Brock Memorabilia gallery. Keep your files under 2MB, which means you'll need a compression program such as Winzip. You can send as many pieces as you'd like to: feedback@NOSPAMcarsguide.com.au. Remove NOSPAM from that email address. We get a bit of spam here, so we ask that you put in the subject line Peter Brock Memorabilia, otherwise it might get lost and not featured on the site. Also tell us your favourite Brocky moment at Mount Panorama. Click on the Feedback to the side and let rip.

But James Brock, 30, believes dealing with the public outpouring of emotion for his legendary father has helped him cope with his family's shock loss. James Brock today announced he would pilot his dad's 1984 Bathurst 1000-winning Holden Commodore around the Gold Coast street circuit before the October 21 V8 Supercar support race during the Indy program. Peter Brock, 61, died when his racing car crashed in the Targa West rally near Perth on September 8. James Brock was touched that he had been asked to complete the tribute but admitted it would be "eerie" getting behind the wheel of a car his dad made famous. "There may be some slight apprehension on my behalf in having to confront quite a few people who want to extend their condolences," he said. "I'm a bit more of a private person than he was so that's something that I am not particularly looking forward to. "I'm sure it will (be eerie) ... it's all nice and comfortable and then you get in there look at the thousands of people around you and see how much emotion they have ... but it's an honour." James Brock will also be competing in the V8 Ute series as part of the support program for the October 19-22 Indy event. He also completed a lap at the recent Australian Motorcycle GP in the LJ Torana XU-1 Peter Brock took to three Australian Touring Car championships. He will do it again when he leads nine vehicles in which Brock tasted Bathurst 1000 success as part of a huge tribute at the October 5-8 Mount Panorama endurance race. Peter Brock earned the moniker "King of the Mountain" thanks to his record nine Bathurst 1000 victories and six pole positions at Mount Panorama. "It's difficult, obviously it (Brock's passing) is still fairly recent," James Brock said. "There's still some personal stuff you've got to deal with. "But the support people have shown around the country and across the world has made it a lot more easier. "Even events like this (Indy) has forced me to confront it, deal with it - it all helps. "There will be a few tears I'm sure up there at Bathurst so hopefully at Indy the mood would have lightened and it will be more of a celebration." Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today did not rule out following the lead of Adelaide re-naming a section of its V8 Supercar street circuit in Brock's honour and erecting a permanent memorial at the Indy track. "I wouldn't rule anything out. But we haven't discussed that and wouldn't do that without talking to the (Brock) family," he said. James Brock also welcomed the Bathurst Regional Council's suggestion to erect a statue of his father at Mount Panorama.

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.

There is also amateur video footage of his last drive in the Daytona car, which he was later killed driving.Read more on www.theage.com.au

They include his six-lap winning margin at Bathurst in 1979, on the day he slam-dunked his superiority by setting the fastest lap of the race on his last lap.And his first Bathurst win, driving single-handed for 500 miles in a giant-killing Holden Torana XU1.And what about the two-hour queue of fans at Bathurst, waiting patiently for a word and an autograph the year of his first (second and third) retirement race?Many of the Brocky stories have passed into folklore. Such as fans getting his autograph on their body and then having a tattoo put over the top of his signature ...There are countless youngsters named Brock by parents who loved the man. Some of us were lucky enough to spend more time with Brocky, and Peter in private, and so the memories are even more special.Here are a few of mine:THRILL RIDESRiding with Brocky was always something to remember. He was brilliant at the Holden proving ground in a V8 Commodore rally car, holding the car in massive sideways drifts as he calmly chatted about a bunch of stuff I can't remember. My brain was overloaded and as frozen by his skill as a kangaroo in a set of headlights.He was totally relaxed as we headed out of the pits at Phillip Island in his Ford Sierra race car, even though my side of the ride was on a piece of foam without a seat belt or even a seat.He was incredibly focussed as he blitzed Sandown in the same Sierra, after asking what lap time Dick Johnson had done in an earlier passenger ride. Brock was so committed to beating the mark that he fired us on to the track before I had time to grab a helmet. And, yes, he went quicker. But only after we slip-streamed past Allan Moffat at the top of the back straight.The last time I took a track lap was at Bathurst in 2002. Mount Panorama was damp, we were on slicks, and Brock's black eyes were flashing like a pair of precious pearls. Then we ran off the road coming into The Chase. It was never a drama but Brocky was annoyed."Bugger," he joked. "As soon as I realised we were going on to the grass I knew you had your story."MONEYBrock never spoke about money. And often didn't have his wallet with him but he lit up when we published a story which said he was earning $1 million a year.I was called into the presence of Peter Perfect for a severe dressing down.Once he had calmed down, it emerged that he was really worried about the Tax Department reading the story and chasing him for more money.After all, he had been through a long, tough fight with the cash men in Canberra after the collapse of his Holden Dealer Team operation that was only resolved many years later.A few months later, Brocky was smiling again when I asked him about the $1 million man tag. "So, did we get it right?" I asked. "Actually, you were about $200,000 light," he said laughing.LUCKUntil last Friday, Brock had barely stubbed a toe during his race career. He walked away from some big hits and was only really injured twice, once while driving Bob Jane's Chevrolet Monza sports sedan in Adelaide and more recently when he raced a go-kart in a fun run in Darwin.But there was much more to his luck."Brock never made a mistake," says his friend and rally co-driver, journalist Wayne Webster. "He never took the wrong road, it was always my fault."He never crashed when we competed in the Australian Safari. I had told him the wrong thing."LIFE ADVICEYou could always rely on Brock for an inspiring note alongside his signature. Something along the lines of "Live your dream". But, privately, he could deliver amazing insights.There were many times when Brock was involved in a difficult story, from his troubles with the Tax Department to his Bathurst comebacks and even the split from Beverley.His attitude was simple, like the time I called to ask about that Bathurst comeback. "Please don't ask me today. I don't want to have to lie to you," Brock said.And when things got messy with his life partner? "You have to do what you have to do. I understand," he said.CO-DRIVERSOne-time Bathurst winner Tomas Mezera shared a Commodore with Peter Perfect at Mount Panorama and learned all about the legend."Brock ruined my career," Mezera jokes. "He came in at Bathurst and gave me the car and it was like a pachinko parlour in Japan. All the lights were on and flashing. It was stuffed."But Brock told everyone on TV that 'Tomas broke the car' and they believed him. The bugger. But no one thought that Peter Brock could do anything wrong."THE POLARIZERA tiny device cost Brock his Holden Dealer Team business and drove a wedge into his relationship with Holden.It was called the Energy Polarizer and was developed in partnership with his friend Ric Dowker to align the energy fields in a car. The theory was that it would make any car drive better.I sampled a car in 1986 and agreed. I even wrote in a story that I thought the Polarizer worked.Most people though it was bunk and Brock was driven into the wilderness, while Dowker was branded as "Doctor Feelgood" and the man who brought Brock down.But Brock bounced back, he and Dowker remained best friends, and he privately stayed committed to the Polarizer."How do we prove it works? They haven't invented the machine yet to prove it works," Brock said, just last year.SAFETY Brock knew that motor racing was dangerous. He also believed he could not be hurt in a car, and had no real fear of death.Which is perhaps why his ideas on an upgrade for Mount Panorama were not what the officials were expecting when they called to consult him."I told them to get big billets of aluminium, then sharpen them like pencils," he said."Then I told them to install them in the wall where you come over Skyline. That would get people thinking. You have to have consequences in motor racing."NICKNAMESIn Brock's world, all the significant people had some sort of nickname. Beverley became "Bevo" and his public relations man Tim Pemberton became "Plastic" (something to do with his ability to withstand heat).Neil Burns was "Part" because of he was prematurely bald and had the world's lowest hair parting.John Harvey was "Slug" because he was from Sydney, which Brock called "slug city", and Grant Steers was "The Spear" because he had a pointed head but also because he was the Mister Fixit for Brock at Holden.THE LAST STARTWhen Brock went to Bathurst in 2004 to drive for the Holden Racing Team he was past it. He had not driven a V8 Supercar for too long, he was getting old, and his heart was not in the racing.No one said it, no one wanted to believe it, but the stopwatch does not lie. Still, Brocky was as popular as ever and in huge demand from his fans, who were dreaming of a miracle 10th win at the Mountain.HRT had imported crack British racer Jason Plato and he was chosen to start the race, to keep Brock out of the early rough-house racing. But he hit the wall and then was hit by John Cleland, who upended his Falcon over the top of the 05 Commodore.Brock was still in the pits, wearing his fireproof suit and looking like the legend. Now he did not have to race, or have his incredible reputation tarnished by a sub-Brock result."It's amazing how the universe looks after these things, isn't it," Brock told me, with just the touch of a smile. 

The 2007 V8 Supercar calendar seems to have escaped without controversy. Those for the following years might not be so lucky. Sydney's Eastern Creek was re-admitted to the championship but, even so, its future and the future of V8 Supercar racing in Sydney remains cloudy. The way the calendar appears to be panning out, Eastern Creek and Winton will be fighting for one spot on future calendars as soon as 2008. And as 2008 is the last guaranteed year for Oran Park before the area becomes a housing development, if Eastern Creek misses out, so will Sydney. Perhaps none of this would have mattered had Sydney secured the street race around Sydney Olympic Park. But the State Government has ruled that out. Of course the Queensland Government, returned last week for a record fourth term, has no such qualms about motor sport. Not only does Queensland support the huge Indycar event, where the V8s have co-billing, but a street race in Townsville in 2008 is but a stroke of the pen away. The Townsville race threatens the place of either Eastern Creek or Winton on the 2008 calendar. Given Winton was preferred to Eastern Creek this year, the Victorian track appears to have the inside running. However, if it comes to the crunch, the V8s might consider a system that gives the round to each venue in alternate years. That could come down to an auction, putting pressure on motorsport fans to support their local event. Whichever venue comes up with the bigger crowds eventually wins the round permanently. That pre-supposes the V8 bosses have no further expansionary ideas. And that seems unlikely. There seems to be serious interest in South Africa and other nations around the Pacific rim. They never knock back a good idea, but Hawaii? Come off the grass. As for 2007, fears that there would be large gaps in the middle of an expanded season have proven unfounded. While not ideal, there is no more than a month between any two races and importantly there are only three weeks between Sandown and Bathurst. Some rounds will be forced to finish early to allow for the commitments the new TV broadcaster Channel 7 has with AFL games. Just how that goes down with viewers might well be the litmus test for the future. So, too, the response to the June holiday weekend date for Eastern Creek. The success of Bathurst was initially based on the October long weekend date. Could a holiday weekend be just the fillip Eastern Creek needs to pull a decent V8 Supercar crowd? Or do shortcomings in viewing facilities remain a valid criticism?

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.