Ian ConstantinePeter Brock RIP
September 8th 2006 11:04
Peter Brock decked out in his beloved Holden race gear
Peter Brock was a dead set legend. Now I am no expert on motor racing, nor could I list you Brock’s pages and pages of achievements or emphasise exactly what he did for motor racing in Australia. However, knowing a very small amount about Brock, I know that he won the prestige event of the industry 6 out of 7 years and won the race by 6 laps which is unprecedented in the modern era. I know that when I would watch the Bathurst 1000 every year as a kid, I would barrack for Brock as he was the only name in the race that I knew. I know that he had a true passion for what he did and he was the only true household name in the sport. I know that he will be more sorely missed by the sporting fraternity than many other sporting personalities because he was the epitome of what we like to call a ‘decent bloke’.
While driving to work this afternoon listening to Steve Price on 2UE, I was actually in shock that the news came through we had lost both Brock and Irwin in the space of less than a week. I don’t have many memories of motor sport, but my favourite Peter Perfect story was told today. Pricey told of his last encounter with Brock in which Steve was driving in the celebrity shithouse race that precedes the main events of the Bathurst 1000. Brock said to Price, who was dressed from top to toe in racing attire, ‘You look the part mate, it’s just a pity you drive like shit’.
While Brock had his personal faults, what he did for the motor racing industry in Australia cannot be stressed enough. How many kids grew up wanting a Holden Peter Brock Special model car? He was an absolute icon of the sport in which he represented, and by all reports was a stand up bloke in the pit lane. He campaigned heavily for road safety and was an integral part of the Victorian road safety program in the 80s when the state’s road toll peaked at more than a thousand a year.
A stand up, humble bloke who was responsible for saving many lives and putting Australian motor racing on the map. Hats off to you Peter, you will be missed by every Australian.
Peter Brock, February 26, 1945 – September 8, 2006
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Comment by Glen Atwell
Computer Game
Certainly weird talking about Irwin and Brock as now deceased. Shocks the system.
Glen
Comment by NickL
"You know you're dealing with someone special when people who don't like motor racing know who you're talking about."
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by peter brock rip
Comment by Anonymous
Yeah, he was good at driving around and around in circles very fast but 'a decent bloke'?
After what he did to his 'best mate' would you even have wanted him for a mate?
I'd say his halo had slipped a bit....like down around his ankles wouldn't you?
O well, it just goes to show, nobody's perfect.
Comment by robert Christensen
Comment by NickL