Holden Racing statement on Peter Brock

Holden Racing Team mourns the passing of a true Australian sporting hero Peter Brock

The Holden Racing Team is saddened and shocked by the death of former driver and ninetime Bathurst champion Peter Brock.

The 61yearold was synonymous driving for the works Holden team, firstly the famous Holden Dealer Team and then for HRT in a span from 1994 to 1997.

Brock had his last drive in the famous Bathurst 1000 with HRT in 2004.

Holden Racing Team staff and management are extremely saddened by the tragic accident in Perth that claimed Brock's life.

Fivetime Bathurst winner Mark Skaife shared his memories of the childhood hero that he would line up alongside and later codrive with.

"I remember the very first touring car race I had and I lined up alongside him on the grid," said Skaife today.

"When I looked across and saw that I was on the grid next to Peter Brock, I knew I had made it.

"I was fortunate to race with and against him and learnt an immense amount from his approach to motorsport.

"He was the guy that all young guys aimed at emulating.

"Peter always made time for his fans and understood how important it was to spend time with them and what they meant to our industry.

"At his best, Brock was the ultimate racing driver. A classic example was Bathurst in 1979 when he won by six laps and broke the lap record on the last lap.

"P. Brock's ethos was to get out there and have a red hot go. He lived his life like that. Brocky was Australia's motorsport icon and the legendary ambassador for our sport."

Former Holden Young Lion and HRT driver for the last three and a half years, Todd Kelly, was stunned by the news.

"I just can't believe it," Kelly, who shared victory in the 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour with Brock his last major victory said. "We shared a lot of things over the last few years and I remember meeting him when I was a kid. He had such a big impact on me when I was a part of the Holden Young Lions program in 1997 when he was still racing.

"He gave me so much help in all aspects when I was young and impressionable. All he ever wanted to do was to help. When I was trying to raise money for my racing in the early years in Mildura, he and Greg Murphy came and helped raise funds.

"At Bathurst in 1997 I was the right wheel changer on his Commodore for what was going to be his last Bathurst. I was more nervous changing that wheel than I've ever been in a race car!

"He had a huge impact on my life and was an incredible mentor. You just can't buy that sort of advice, especially from someone like Peter Brock."

-credit: holden