R.I.P Peter Brock

[Curzon]

Peter Brock, 61, lost control of his Daytona Coupe in wet conditions only hours after the start of the three-day Targa West rally near Perth yesterday, slamming side-on into a tree.

The nine-time Bathurst winner died at the scene. Rescue workers say it took them four hours to free his body from the twisted wreckage of his vehicle.

His navigator Mick Hone was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition. He had been heard to plead "talk to me" to Brock after the crash, before being told the racing icon was dead.

Organisers of the rally today decided to complete the remaining stages of the event, after drivers yesterday observed a minute's silence in Brock's honour.

"Following consultation with all relevant authorities, competitors, officials and CAMS the event will continue for the remaining two days of competition," said a message on the race website.

Some of the teams appeared distressed as they left Perth this morning.

Veteran driver Ross Dunkerton said all the competitors were thinking of Brock.

“We know it is a dangerous sport, and I am sure that Peter up there, bless his soul, would want us to be out there doing business,” Dunkerton told ABC Radio.

Dennis Dunlop said: “We do this for fun, as did he, and we've gone today to have bit of fun for Peter Brock.”

[Curzon]

RACING legend Peter Brock is to be farewelled in style after his family accepted the Victorian Government's offer of a state funeral.

Details, including a date, for the funeral are yet to be finalised.

Peter Brock's former wife, Bev Brock, who split with the racing legend in May last year after 28 years together, said the decision to accept the state funeral was made by the couple's three children.

“I believe it's my kids choice and they felt it was fitting,” Mrs Brock told ABC Radio.

“Their dad was loved. He was in the public eye, and everything had to be done with a flourish and with a bang.

“It's probably the way he would want to go out, (and) he would want to be remembered.

“It's a fantastic offer and so many people want to say goodbye to him.”

Brock's 23-year-old daughter, Alexandra Brock, flew into Perth this morning, and said she had been touched by all the tributes flowing in since her father was killed while competing in a rally in Western Australia yesterday.

Asked how she felt to have a national hero as a father, she said: “He was just my dad. He was an absolute dag, he told the worst dad jokes.

“He was one of those really transparent kind of people in the public eye who the public saw him as who he was, which was a really genuine, compassionate and amazing person.”