Filed under: Motorsports
Aussie racing legend Peter Brock dies in home country
An incident during the Targa West rally has claimed the life of Australia's most prolific motorsports icon. While driving his Daytona Coupe, Peter Brock collided with a tree at speed, wounding his co-driver and sustaining mortal injuries. Currently, no information is available about the cause of the crash, although Mick Hone, Brock's co-driver is in stable condition.
Brock became a household name in his home country of Australia while leading the Holden factory team to nine Bathurst 1000 victories during the 70's and 80's. Brock retired from racing in 1994, only to return three years later, running two more Bathurst's and a number of enthusiast events, like the Targa West.
For a full synopsis of Brock's life and legend, follow this link to the Wikipedia entry.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and the nation that bore him.
[Thanks to our tippers, Drew and Supercujo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Supercujo 4:31AM (9/08/2006)
What a crap week, we Aussies have had...
I grew up watching Brock race. My first memories of going to Australian Touring Car races are those of watching the 05 Torana run against AllAn Moffat and Dick Johnson. What a great time in Aussie motorsport.
With 4 weeks to go before this years Bathurst 1000, I sure hope the Australian motorsport community puts on a worthy tribute to the King of the Mountain.
RIP Peter Perfect
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Alex 5:53AM (9/08/2006)
This is a sad day for Australia, Motorsport and everyone around the world who followed the magnificent career of this great man. His achievements both on and off the track, his sparkling personality which won the hearts of many will be remembered for years to come if not forever.
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Adam Singer 9:32AM (9/08/2006)
It took 4 hours to get his body out? That's ridiculous. If it took significantly less time who knows what might have happened, he might still be alive.
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Car chops and Discussion 9:47AM (9/08/2006)
That's bad news :( R.I.P
http://www.carchops.com
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flow_aus 10:27AM (9/08/2006)
Firstly -- WRT removing his body - he'd already expired. It's standard practice for anyone dead on impact to be left for the cops/coroner.
I grew up in a Ford house as a Holden fan. Brock was still honoured as a great driver, "although he was on the wrong team".
This is a terrible accident. And all of Australia's motor sport fans are in mourning...
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Elias 10:58AM (9/08/2006)
Bad week for Aussies... first Steve Irwin, now Peter Brock.
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Patrick 6:28PM (9/08/2006)
A bad week for Australia. Peter Brock was the best driver I have ever seen, and it is a shame to see him no longer on this earth.
RIP Peter Brock
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Jaun 6:23PM (9/09/2006)
Truly Terrible first Steve now Peter one of the best blokes out thier will always remember walking up to him beside the track and having a chat.
You will be missed
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Nathan 9:23AM (9/15/2006)
It seems too tragic for belief. The Crocodile Hunter is a story of a humble man with a passion for life and the environment, who became perhaps the most well known Australian in the world. May he be remembered for not only his high energy personality, but also his amazing ecological achievements. We welcome everybody to leave their thoughts of Steve at this tribute.
http://www.theeternalportal.com/memorials/show.asp?id=402
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Nathan Martyn 9:24AM (9/15/2006)
Light a candle in memory of Peter Brock at his online memorial;
http://www.theeternalportal.com/memorials/show.asp?id=421
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Richard 7:17AM (11/04/2006)
You know what sh1ts me most about this?
The corner on which he dies is well known to locals. When they were interviewed one of them said that very same tree had been the cause of EIGHT motorcycle fatalities.
And God knows how many serious injuries.
As if after the 3rd it didnt become obvious the tree was in a dangerous location, the council/road authority then stood by and watched another 5 die there, and then Peter Brock.
And its not like it could have slipped past them...every fatality involves a big investigation.
Apalling.
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