Peter Brock fans gather in Auckland to pay tribute to the Australian racing great. Picture / Brett Phibbs
More than 700 cars, from raring-to-race monsters to modest family station wagons, joined a convoy yesterday as a tribute to Australian racing driver Peter Brock.
The air in Queen St was filled with the roar of V8 engines from cars which Brock drove or inspired during the 1970s and 80s.
For Sean Peach, of Pukekohe, parading his 1998 Holden VT Calais was a chance to pay respect to a man who won admiration for his deeds not only on the track but also as a popular visitor and supporter of charities.
"Brocky was a God, the man, the king," said Mr Peach. "He put Holden on the map with his success as King of the Mountain at Bathurst."
His passenger, Peter Alesech, was wearing a much-treasured hat which he said the "normal Aussie bloke" signed for him last year.
Brock, 61, died when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a tree during a rally in Western Australia on September 8.
Several cars sported "05" - the number Brock's cars displayed. During his racing career, he worked with authorities in Victoria in their campaign against drink driving - the 05 number relates to the 0.05 per cent blood alcohol limit in the state.
He was associated with Holden for four decades - a connection that made a big impression on a member of the Havoc Holden V8 owners club, Sam Hau, of Mt Wellington.
"He gave me a love for these cars which I'm passing on to my boys, Adrian and Jordan," he said.
Julie and Bruce Miller, of Titirangi, drove their immaculate and rare 1987 VL Group A Holden Commodore.
"I met Peter and he was a relaxed, keen and open guy," said Mrs Miller.
In New Zealand, Brock helped raise funds for Kids First charity and was patron of the Commodore Club New Zealand.
Club captain Dave Littlejohn said Brock's former wife, Beverley, had agreed to continue as patron.
Mr Littlejohn said he was overwhelmed by the number of motorists and their families who took part in the memorial parade.
