Graeme
09-01-2007, 02:58 PM
On the cusp of releasing the 1:18 scale 956 model, I find myself reflecting ... hard to believe, and I wonder how many others realise, that it was ten years ago this May that Peter Brock announced his retirement from full-time competitive driving ... i.e. no more Brocky in V8 touring cars ... or V8 Supercars as they were about to be renamed.
Here is an excerpt of the announcement as recorded by HSV on their website of the times :
11.30am Thursday May 29, 1997.
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING LEGEND TO RETIRE
Australia's best-known motor sport personality Peter Brock, today announced he will retire from full-time motor racing at the end of this season.
Speaking at a media conference in Melbourne today, Brock said that after thirty years at the top of motor racing, it was time to step aside and encourage the next generation of drivers.
"The time has come to move on." said Brock. "I have many new and exciting challenges which await me and I am extremely grateful for the understanding and support which Mobil, GMH and HSV have given me in allowing these new directions to come to pass."
Peter Brock is easily the most recognised and most successful driver in domestic motor racing, having won the Country's best known motor sport event the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama a record 9 times. Add to that, 9 Sandown endurance titles, three Australian Touring Car Championships and a Round Australia Trial win and just about every motor sport accolade. There are not many achievements which have escaped the 52 year old from Melbourne.
Brock's career began in the late 1960's at 22 years of age at the Winton circuit in North East Victoria, driving a most unlikely looking car - an Austin A30 body shell, into which a Holden 6 cylinder engine, gearbox and differential was fitted.
"I built it in the chook shed on my parents' property, teaching myself about building race cars at the same time." Brock explained. "It was pretty rough, but it was all part of the learning experience and it went like the clappers.
"I had a bit of success in the car, which brought me to the attention of Harry Firth who was about to form the Holden Dealer Team. Back in 1948, my father was a Holden dealer on the Northern outskirts of Melbourne which was the start of a long association with GMH, so it was like a dream come true when I joined HDT. I've been closely linked to the General since I was born, and that's set to continue into the future." Brock said.
While Brock's on track activities will conclude at the end of this year, his association with the Holden Racing Team, Mobil and Holdens won't be ending.
The recent initiative by the Mobil Holden Racing Team in introducing the Holden "Young Lions" program to ensure the next generation of "Peter Brock's" are brought through the system, will keep Peter busy, along with maintaining a public role with the Team.
"The sport has changed dramatically from when I started." explained Peter. "The role of the driver is now more clearly defined with a greater focus on these aspects within the team, rather than being a 'jack of all trades'. In many respects, we are changing the face of motor sport.
"Traditionally, race teams and sponsors have had long partnerships with the drivers, in order to achieve compensation for their investment. Fundamentally, the Mobil Holden Racing Team is now embarking on a course of youth development, taking young talent, nurturing and guiding them in order to assist them in achieving their own goals. My job is to ensure they receive the best guidance I can give them and further, to give the Teams' sponsors value for money by continuing to have a very public presence." Brock outlined.
"If I can help the current drivers in our race team - be it with HRT or the Young Lions - and those of the future avoid some of the pitfalls I've faced along the way, it might make it a little easier for them." said Brock.
In making his announcement today, Brock said he was looking forward to ending his career on a high at the scene of his greatest triumphs - Mount Panorama at Bathurst on October 19 - and would reveal in a few weeks, the driver who shall share the seat in his #05 Commodore for his last tilt at a 10th Bathurst crown.
"Naturally Craig Lowndes will join Greg Murphy as they attempt to defend their Sandown 500 and Bathurst titles, while the Holden Young Lions car will be driven by our four young blokes, Jason Bargwanna ,Steven White, Mark Noske and Todd Kelly. As to my co-driver at Sandown and Bathurst? All I can say is, watch this space!"
Brock's retirement announcement allowed him to reflect on his 30 years in motor sport.
"I've been very fortunate to have made a career out of something I get great enjoyment out of doing." he stated. "Motor racing has taken me all around the world and allowed me to meet and make many friends. To have done all that and had some success along the way, is a very gratifying experience.
"I'd like to thank all the fans for their support over the years and be assured, I'll be giving Bathurst my best shot in October to try and give them that elusive 10th win." he concluded.
Here is an excerpt of the announcement as recorded by HSV on their website of the times :
11.30am Thursday May 29, 1997.
AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING LEGEND TO RETIRE
Australia's best-known motor sport personality Peter Brock, today announced he will retire from full-time motor racing at the end of this season.
Speaking at a media conference in Melbourne today, Brock said that after thirty years at the top of motor racing, it was time to step aside and encourage the next generation of drivers.
"The time has come to move on." said Brock. "I have many new and exciting challenges which await me and I am extremely grateful for the understanding and support which Mobil, GMH and HSV have given me in allowing these new directions to come to pass."
Peter Brock is easily the most recognised and most successful driver in domestic motor racing, having won the Country's best known motor sport event the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama a record 9 times. Add to that, 9 Sandown endurance titles, three Australian Touring Car Championships and a Round Australia Trial win and just about every motor sport accolade. There are not many achievements which have escaped the 52 year old from Melbourne.
Brock's career began in the late 1960's at 22 years of age at the Winton circuit in North East Victoria, driving a most unlikely looking car - an Austin A30 body shell, into which a Holden 6 cylinder engine, gearbox and differential was fitted.
"I built it in the chook shed on my parents' property, teaching myself about building race cars at the same time." Brock explained. "It was pretty rough, but it was all part of the learning experience and it went like the clappers.
"I had a bit of success in the car, which brought me to the attention of Harry Firth who was about to form the Holden Dealer Team. Back in 1948, my father was a Holden dealer on the Northern outskirts of Melbourne which was the start of a long association with GMH, so it was like a dream come true when I joined HDT. I've been closely linked to the General since I was born, and that's set to continue into the future." Brock said.
While Brock's on track activities will conclude at the end of this year, his association with the Holden Racing Team, Mobil and Holdens won't be ending.
The recent initiative by the Mobil Holden Racing Team in introducing the Holden "Young Lions" program to ensure the next generation of "Peter Brock's" are brought through the system, will keep Peter busy, along with maintaining a public role with the Team.
"The sport has changed dramatically from when I started." explained Peter. "The role of the driver is now more clearly defined with a greater focus on these aspects within the team, rather than being a 'jack of all trades'. In many respects, we are changing the face of motor sport.
"Traditionally, race teams and sponsors have had long partnerships with the drivers, in order to achieve compensation for their investment. Fundamentally, the Mobil Holden Racing Team is now embarking on a course of youth development, taking young talent, nurturing and guiding them in order to assist them in achieving their own goals. My job is to ensure they receive the best guidance I can give them and further, to give the Teams' sponsors value for money by continuing to have a very public presence." Brock outlined.
"If I can help the current drivers in our race team - be it with HRT or the Young Lions - and those of the future avoid some of the pitfalls I've faced along the way, it might make it a little easier for them." said Brock.
In making his announcement today, Brock said he was looking forward to ending his career on a high at the scene of his greatest triumphs - Mount Panorama at Bathurst on October 19 - and would reveal in a few weeks, the driver who shall share the seat in his #05 Commodore for his last tilt at a 10th Bathurst crown.
"Naturally Craig Lowndes will join Greg Murphy as they attempt to defend their Sandown 500 and Bathurst titles, while the Holden Young Lions car will be driven by our four young blokes, Jason Bargwanna ,Steven White, Mark Noske and Todd Kelly. As to my co-driver at Sandown and Bathurst? All I can say is, watch this space!"
Brock's retirement announcement allowed him to reflect on his 30 years in motor sport.
"I've been very fortunate to have made a career out of something I get great enjoyment out of doing." he stated. "Motor racing has taken me all around the world and allowed me to meet and make many friends. To have done all that and had some success along the way, is a very gratifying experience.
"I'd like to thank all the fans for their support over the years and be assured, I'll be giving Bathurst my best shot in October to try and give them that elusive 10th win." he concluded.