Motorsport legend Peter Brock killed in crash

Peter Brock. Picture / Rotorua Daily Post

Australian motorsport legend Peter Brock has been killed in a rally crash in Western Australia, motor sports officials have confirmed.

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) said in a statement Brock, 61, died when the car carrying him and his co-driver crashed during the Targa rally.

West Australian police told the Sydney Morning Herald a car competing in the rally crashed into a tree at Gidgegannup about 40 kilometres north-east of Perth.

Brock's co-driver is in hospital in a stable condition. Brock is believed to have been driving with Mick Hone in a Daytona Coupe.

CAMS said the accident occurred at approximately 11:50am WST (3.50pm NZT) during Targa West, a tarmac special stage rally near Perth, Western Australia.

"On behalf of the motor sport community, CAMS offers its sincere sympathy to Peter's family and many friends," the statement said.

The full circumstances of the accident remain unclear.

Brock, of Melbourne, is survived by his wife and three children.

Brock won Australia's famous touring car race at Bathurst a record nine times and many other endurance racing titles.

- NZHERALD STAFF