Peter Brock’s Final Ride
Maybe you’ve heard them say that there’s a love at the heart of every hero. For Peter Brock, a world-class champion of motor racing, this love bounces like a car.
This can be understood from his driving in high school with a 7-Sleeve car that had no brakes and no body.
The Austin 7 was the first car he bought for only £5, and he later claimed that he owed his improved driving skills to driving this brake-free car from that era.
Now, as we continue this article from Best German Car , a German automotive repair service provider alongside educational materials, we will introduce this prominent figure in the world of automotive racing. So, join us …
Vehicle Involved in Peter Brock’s Fatal Accident
It was September 8, 2006, when the world of motor racing lost a beloved figure due to a tragic incident. The popular figure was Peter Brock, a famous Australian driver and world-class racing champion.
The incident occurred when his car lost control and hit a tree on the driver’s side at high speed while navigating a curve.
Due to the severity of the impact, Peter Brock, who was 61 years old, did not survive. However, his co-driver, Mick Hoon, was rescued and taken to the hospital.
In what Tournament did Peter Brock lose his life?
The incident that led to the death of Peter Brock occurred at the 2006 Targa West Rally. This was the second edition of the tournament since 2005, which took place during the second stage of the event.
Hampinen was the scene of the accident, 25 miles from Gidgegannup near Northeast Perth.
The rally, named after a former car event called Targa Florio in Sicily, Italy, has not been held for several years since 2021.
What also made the races attractive, along with the diverse and challenging tracks, were the harsh conditions and the need for precision and high speed governing the race.
What was the Car that led to the Death of Peter Brock?
Perhaps some people are curious to know what car was involved in the accident that resulted in Peter Brock’s death.
In response, we must say that the car was a Daytona Coupe, a model from Shelby American.
Due to its unique features, such as an aerodynamic body, powerful engine, and high performance on the road and track, it enabled its drivers to achieve remarkable success in various competitions.
Of course, this car is a special version of the Shelby Cobra. There are also reports that the Daytona Coupe was involved in an accident.
Peter Brock was to be rebuilt and exhibited in public, and visitors had to pay $1.15 to attend.
Peter Brock’s last words
There is a superstition among the people of the Middle East and even East Asia that says that before you die, you are inspired to die.
Moments before Peter Brock took part in the 2006 Targa West Rally in the Daytona Coupe and suffered a fatal accident, he reportedly told the track marshal, “Let’s get this day over and done with,” as if he knew it was going to be the day to finish!
Additionally, while his ex-wife stated that Peter Brock’s mental health was not favorable on the day of the accident, his driver’s assistant, Mick Hoon, who survived the accident, denies this.
Net Worth of Motorsport Legend Peter Brock
Unlike Peter Brock’s cultural heritage, which influenced Australian culture and motorsport and served as an inspiration to new generations, making him a legend and a well-known figure in the country, his material and property heritage has not been as legendary as his fame.
However, his money and net worth were estimated at $5.5 million at the time of his death in 2006. Additionally, due to the existence of several wills, his estate was divided only between his two biological sons, and his stepson did not inherit.
However, with the agreement of the biological sons, the remaining inheritance of Peter Brock was divided equally among all three of them.
Iconic Cars of Peter Brock
It is difficult to list all the cars that Peter Brock has driven, as he, the legendary champion of motor racing in Australia, has driven and competed with numerous cars. However, apart from the fact that his first car was a Stein 7 he bought while in high school, he started his career with a Stein A30.
With this car, he quickly became a leading driver for Holden. He also achieved major victories with iconic cars such as the Holden HK Monaro GTS 350 and the Holden Torana.
Peter Brock also moved to European brands such as Ford and BMW after leaving Holden, racing cars like the BMW M3 and Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500.
In addition, as a world-class professional driver, he competed in international competitions such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans with famous cars from Porsche and BMW.
After retiring from the main racing circuit, he began driving cars like the Holden Monaro 427C and Daytona, and his last car, which led to his death, was the Daytona Coupe.
Peter Brock and Shelby Collaborations
Peter Brock was not just a champion and legend of racing; he was also active in the world of sports and racing car design. He is considered one of the main designers of the Shelby Daytona Cobra.
Although Peter Brock started his career at General Motors and played an important role in the design of one of the most famous sports cars in history, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, his most significant tenure was in collaboration with Carroll Shelby.
He became the first paid employee at the company and was a key player in the design of many of its famous cars.
Among the most important cars that Peter Brock designed for Shelby was the Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe.
Of course, his relationship with Shelby was not limited to car design; Peter Brock’s driving and racing with the company’s cars and winning numerous championships were instrumental in creating a visual identity for the company.
Even the last car he drove, as he promised, was one from Shelby, which we discussed in different parts.
How Old Was Peter Brock?
Peter Brock was born in Victoria, Australia, at a hospital called Epworth in the Richmond area on February 8, 1945. He enlisted in 1965 and took part in the Bathurst 500 the following year while on leave, which led him to become a legendary professional driver.
He died in a car accident on September 8, 2006, at the age of 61.
During his prolific life, he became one of the most famous drivers in Australian and World Motor racing, achieving great fame in the Bathurst 1000, where he won the championship nine times.
Relationships in Peter Brock’s Life
The private lives of many heroes and prominent figures have always been accompanied by challenges and problems. This is also true for Peter Brock. He was married and divorced twice.
The first marriage was to Heather Russell (1967-1969), and the second was to Michelle Downs (1974-1975).
Interestingly, he experienced a long relationship with his partner Bo Brock that lasted nearly three decades. Bo Brock also had a significant influence on Peter Brock’s racing career, always appearing as his sponsor in tournaments.
Perhaps the secret of her relationship with Brock, who loved racing and competing, is that she knew that to stay with him, he had to love his career first.
Peter Brock will
Although Peter Brock was ready for every race and competition in the professional world of motor racing, the number of wills and their arrangement at home without consulting a lawyer showed that he was not yet prepared for death.
However, he had made three wills that were not sufficiently accurate and were accompanied by many ambiguities and contradictions. This made it difficult to determine a valid will.
The matter was eventually brought to trial, and the judge recognized one of the wills as valid and invalidated the others.
The wills were written in 1984, 2003, and 2006, with the court recognizing only the 2003 will as valid. None of these wills specified how Peter Brock’s inheritance was to be divided and distributed, and only one person was mentioned in the 2003 will regarding the funeral arrangements.
Therefore, the basis for distributing his property could not be established through a will, and it was carried out according to the state laws of New South Wales.
Summary
As a summary of this article, presented in the introduction of one of the leading figures in the world of motor racing, we aimed to introduce you to various aspects of Peter Brock’s career and life.
He is an exemplary legend in the world of motor racing, with his nine Bathurst Championships, one of Australia’s most prestigious motor racing events, as well as numerous other successes and victories in endurance racing.
Beyond the world of racing and his impact on Australian culture, Peter Brock was also an automotive designer. He had a humanitarian personality and was not afraid to help others.
