PETER BROCK

It was a tremendous honour and pleasure for the staff at Daytona Sports Cars to have had the opportunity to work with Peter Brock. He was an enthusiastic supporter of our product with an excited attitude for its further potential. Along with many plans, it was his hope to run the car in the Bathurst 24 Hour, and had dreams of steering it around the fabled Nurburgring in Germany. Words can only understate ours, and many other fans loss, when he passed on September 8th, 2006. As a mark of respect, all of Daytona Sports Cars current and future cars, wear a specially made plaque in his memory. It should also be know that Peter was not hired by Daytona Sports Cars, and never asked to be financially rewarded. It was his wish to drive the car, and the gentleman's agreement between himself and Richard Bendell, was that it was his car to borrow for whatever event he desired to compete in.

BROCKY'S DAYTONA STORY

When regular Daytona Sports Cars steerer Rex Broadbent was unable to drive the Factory Coupe in 2006's Targa Tasmania, a phone call between Richard Bendell and long time friend Greg Stevenson yielded a surprising result.

When Richard mentioned in passing that he was unable to run the Factory Car as he was without a driver, Greg told him he knew someone 'looking for a drive'.

Within 10 minutes of their conversation ending, the phone rang again. This time it was Peter Brock, who said to Richard, 'I believe you have a car available to drive?'

Without thought, an enthusiastic 'It's yours' was Richard's reply, and Peter Brock's partnership with Daytona Sports Cars was born.

Peter's first drive of the car was around the quiet streets surrounding the Daytona Sports Cars factory in the Dromana Industrial Estate, on the Mornington Peninsula. Comfortable with the seating position, pedals and so on, Peter then went about track testing the car at Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne's outer suburbs. With only minor adjustments to shockers and front bar, the car was then prepared in 'Brock livery'.

As Peter told it, he was at the A.G.P. in Melbourne, noticed the Mercedes Benz course car in Dark Silver and decided instantly, that was the colour for his Daytona. Complimented with pale silver GT stripes, it was a nicely understated colour scheme after the cars previous hue of bright orange.

In the weeks leading up to Targa, Peter and his long time friend and first time navigator, Mick Hone came down to the factory from time to time, most notably to affix the Targa decals to their car. Peter Brock does his own signage we all exclaimed! Not only that, it was with artistic consideration and great care. He just loved to be involved.

After graciously supplying the team with Daytona/Team Brock jackets, we made our way to Australia's southern most state, for the 15th running of Targa Tasmania.

Slideshow images provided by James Bendell and Rhettro Photography