BROCK DAYTONA 2006 - ENTHUSIASM AND RESPECT

"COMMENTS FROM MICK HONE"

Peter Brock was always enthusiastic about his next project, and when he called me early in 2006 to tell me had secured a very special car for Targa Tasmania and I was going to be his co-driver I was instantly infected by Brock's enthusiasm.

I knew what a Daytona coupe looked like but that was about it.

The Daytona is a great looking classic 1960s sports car. It oozed appeal, and with modern technology, was a combination of classic motoring style and state of the art engineering. Richard Bendell had recreated a wonderful vehicle.

I had no idea about navigating, but with the confidence and instruction from PB, I learnt a lot very quickly. A day spent driving around the hills of the Diamond Valley in Peter's Holden using our home made route maps, gave me a glimpse of what was ahead.

One amazing aspect of PB was his ability to enlist the help of others in achieving a common goal. The Daytona factory guys and some loyal contacts from V8 racing, contributed in helping to get the Daytona to the start line in Tasmania.

Peter was rapt in the Daytona and just fizzed at the performance potential with some special Brock development. Initial changes were made with positive results but we saw it as only the tip of the development iceberg. Winning a stage and being top five in other legs gave some indication of where we were against some very professional opposition. Peter said many times “If we could get the back of this thing hooked up- they would not see where we went”. To be ultra competitive we needed equal rubber to the front-runners. I think we both learnt a lot in the Targa event. Obviously I had a lot more to learn than Peter.

Next event was Lake Mountain and with a new wheel and tyre combo things felt pretty good. The fact that it snowed and was freezing most of the weekend did give the 4WD brigade a marked advantage but the Daytona surprised with an excellent second position overall. We had stepped forward a lot.

More meetings with the Bendell crew and Michael Borland, and more development before testing at Calder. The Daytona was absolutely flying and well prepared for our next adventure in Targa West 06.

Peter was always busy and involved in a lot of outside activities as well as his motor sport. I was very fortunate to have the chance to co drive with a such a gifted driver. Have you ever wondered how you would go at Bathurst in Brocks race car? From my experience with Peter in the Daytona I quickly had a reality check and got things into perspective quite early. Peter would correct before the car moved. It was like a sixth sense and all I could do was marvel as we thundered down the road.

What happened in WA was a terrible accident.
We went too fast for a corner that was too slow.
We hit a tree, and the tree won.
The fact that I am writing this story is a testament to the dedication and hard work put into developing a serious and safe race car. By all rights it should have been a double disaster. I walked out and still shake my head. What happened?
We lost a great Australian, an incredible, amazing and truly unique spirit.

Peter showed me how to drive and navigate. I saw how his eyes lit up when we spoke about future pursuits in the Daytona. How we could improve this and change that.

Peter also taught me a lot about respect and I saw it everyday in the way he treated the many people who crossed our paths.

Peter changed the direction of the Daytona project.

Mick Hone