Brock's death shocks NZ motorsport identities

Peter Brock

The death of Australian motor racing legend Peter Brock today has been keenly felt in New Zealand, leaving racing identities in a state of shock.

Brock, 61, one of Australia's most famous motor racing drivers, was killed in an accident during Western Australia's Targa Rally, an event run on closed public roads.

"It is a massive loss to Australia as a whole, not just to the sport," said New Zealand V8 Supercar series driver Greg Murphy, who was Brock's teammate from 1995-1997.

Murphy told National Radio he had spent a lot of time with Brock when they were teammates and did not "expect Peter would go doing what he loved best".

"Everyone thought he was invincible in a race car.

"It's a massive shock to everybody, to me and the motorsport community, and I think just as much a shock to everyone in New Zealand."

Popularly known as "Peter Perfect" Murphy said Brock was an "icon at Bathhurst, an allround good guy and a people's person".

"He had the reputation of being perfect up the mountain and certainly the number of wins that he had probably attest to that," Murphy said.

Murphy said it was an honour to have been a friend and teammate of Brock's, and he paid tribute to Brock's involvement in road safety and driver campaigns, as well as charities.

Targa New Zealand promoter Mike John and former New Zealand Formula One legend Chris Amon told NZPA they, too, were shocked by the news of Brock's death.

"He was just such a personable, friendly and approachable man," said John, who first lured Brock to compete in the New Zealand Targa in 2003.

"He was due to bring his Daytona Coupe to next month's six-day Targa Rally here in New Zealand.

"Brock is one of my favourite drivers, along with Jim Richards. That's the problem with motorsport - even the best can get killed."

Brock, Richards, who won last year's New Zealand Targa, and United States-based New Zealander Steve Millen were expected to headline the event.

Amon said he did not know Brock personally but the driver's death was "terrible news".

"It is unbelievable. Even though I did not know him personally, he was a great driver and an absolute legend."

- NZPA