THE long time partner of nine time Bathurst 1000 Champion, Peter Brock – Bev Brock – feels that his induction into the inaugural Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 19 in Melbourne will vindicate many of the private battles he struggled with throughout his career.
Organisers have named Brock as part of the first group of the 30 inductees that will be unveiled at the Black Tie Gala event, presented by Speedcafe.com that will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Just 200 members of the General Public can purchase tickets to the 500 strong gala that coincides with the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
The inaugural Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame Induction Gala will see 30 greats of Australian motorsport inducted across all disciplines of the sport – from Formula 1 to Touring Cars, Motorcycle racing, Karting, Speedway, Rally and Drag racing.
“Peter was very much a perfectionist and much of the time at home with the family was spent soul searching and questioning what he could do better – whether it be towards the sponsors, the team or the fans,” said Ms. Brock.
“His public perception came across that he took everything in his public life in his stride – but it was very different to that behind closed doors.
“Peter never thought he was worthy of the accolades – he was always striving for something more so that he didn’t disappoint anyone. There were endless deep and meaningfuls discussing this and what he could improve.
“I am sure that he would be humbled by this Induction to the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame. Part of him would say it made everything worthwhile, while the other part would ask whether he had done enough to deserve it.
“I absolutely think it would vindicate for him those many hours that he questioned every minute detail of what he was doing.”
Bev Brock will accept Peter’s Hall of Fame induction with all of his children accompanying her to the event.
“At the time when Peter’s career was at its height, all of the kids were just ‘kids’ and it was tough sharing your Dad with the rest of the world. The family suffered as a result, there’s no question.
“He would always say that he couldn’t be Brock without the family support behind him – it gave him the secure platform to go and do what he did. In the last few years of his life – he had a far greater appreciation of this fact.
“The evening of the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame Induction will be emotional I am sure. Now those kids have grown into men and women in their own right, I’m sure they will be immensely proud to be a part of it and representing Peter with me.”
Bev expressed how she wished Peter could be there to accept the Induction.
“For me, it is highly emotional and I would love nothing more than to have him there in his own right accepting the Medal.
“I know the real Peter Brock who kept his private side, private. I could never understand why he worried so much about every minor thing. Being inducted into the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame makes everything that we did together, the hours on end that we worked away at it, and his time away from the family all worthwhile.”
The nine times Bathurst champion lost his life 10 years ago this September while competing in a Targa Rally in Western Australia.
Garry Connelly – Chairman of the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame – enthused at the announcement Brock would be one of the Inductees in 2016.
“Peter Brock is an icon of Australian motorsport and it is only fitting that he be part of the Class of 2016 in the inaugural year of the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame,” said Connelly.
“Brock was named as the second greatest Touring Car driver ever by Autosport Magazine in the UK and now even 10 years after his untimely passing, his presence in the sport is as strong as ever.
“We’re delighted to announce Peter in the first group of inductees and even more so that Bev will be the one to accept on his behalf.
“For so many years, Bev supported the Peter Brock phenomenon and in many ways was as much a part of the legend as Peter was himself.
“The event itself will be a wonderful celebration of Australian motor sport history and we’re so pleased that enthusiasts can join us on the night, although there are only a limited number of tickets left remaining.”
Among Brock’s off-track honours was becoming the first Australian Olympic team ambassador not from an Olympic Sport in Sydney in 2000 and Athens 2004, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1980, along with being awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and the Centenary Medal for his Charity work in 2001.
He was also a long time Board Member of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
A number of special guests from global motorsport are expected to be in attendance at the official Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame inaugural induction dinner, along with the 30 Inductees or their representatives.
Coinciding with the announcement Brock will be part of the Presentation Evening, long time Brock supporter, Mobil has joined the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame Inaugural Induction Gala as a Platinum Partner. The Mobil oil brand was synonymous with Brock from the mid-1980s and was the naming rights sponsor of his final Bathurst 1000 victory with Holden in 1987.
The Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame Inaugural Induction Gala is being presented by Speedcafe.com in association with a number of Platinum Partners including Australian Grand Prix Corporation, V8 Supercars, Famous Insurance, CAMS Foundation, Goodyear Tyres, NGK, and Performance Racing Industry.
The Hall of Fame is founded and supported by CAMS, Motorcycling Australia, Karting Australia, ANDRA and Speedway Australia.