With wild excitement the crowd rose as one, cheering and clapping their new motor racing hero. He had traveled north from Melbourne to compete in the then- popular night racing at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway. It was February 1970 and I remember it with some affection as if it were yesterday. Peter Brock’s car was a little out of the ordinary—an Austin A30 powered by a Holden six-cylinder engine. Little did we realize that we were witnessing the start of a sensational racing career that was to make Peter Brock a household name throughout Australia.
Needless to say I was stunned when during the afternoon of September 8, 2006, I heard that at just 61 years, Peter Brock’s life met a tragic end while competing in a tarmac rally in West Australia. His Cobra Daytona left the road and slammed into a tree killing him instantly.
To Australians, “Brocky” will be best remembered for his many successes at the Bathurst race. His success in the A30 was soon noticed and before long the names of Peter Brock and Holden became synonymous when, over a 30-year racing career, Peter would win this prestigious event a total of nine times. So domineering was Peter at Bathurst that he was christened “King of the Mountain.” His success in other races all over Australia was equally astounding.
While Brocky’s career was centered mostly in Australia he did venture away from there for Le Mans in 1976, 1981 and 1984. There was even a stab at the European Touring Car Championship in 1986 driving a Holden Commodore. Following retirement from full-time racing in 1997, Brock could be seen happily supporting young drivers to find their feet in the competitive world of motor racing and helping fellow Australians in need through the Peter Brock Foundation. He also found new enjoyment within the expanding historic racing scene in Australia.
Just one week before Peter Brock’s death, our European Editor Ed McDonough caught up with him at Goodwood and we will feature this important interview in next month’s Vintage Racecar. Peter and a team of Australians headed by Phil Munday had taken an example of the first Holden built to Goodwood, winning the coveted Goodwood Supporters’ Association Spirit of Goodwood Trophy.
I had met Peter quite a few times since that magic night in 1970, and he always came across as a caring and genuine bloke who, no matter what the function or event, made you feel as if you were the focus of his world. To me, Peter Brock will be always remembered for his exploits with the ridiculous Austin A30 and how he was always genuinely interested to speak to you.
It’s been a bad couple of weeks for Australian icons. First Steve Irwin the “Crocodile Hunter,” and then one of the nicest blokes you would ever want to meet, Peter Brock. Irreplaceable!
by Patrick Quinn
