The non-stop roar of V8 engines at the Bathurst 1000 was preceded by the sound of silence.
A hush descended on the famously raucous Mount Panorama before Sunday’s Great Race as Australian motorsport marked 20 years since Peter Brock’s tragic death.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bathurst honours Peter Brock on lap 05
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One of the nation’s most-loved sporting icons, nine-time Bathurst 1000 winner Brock died in a racing accident aged 61.
His iconic cars – such as his 1975 Holden Torana – paraded around the Mount Panorama circuit under a cloudless sky, and every patch trackside was covered by fans.
John Williamson added to Sunday’s homage for the man known as the King of the Mountain, singing his 1982 classic True Blue while flanked by punters at McPhillamy Park.
Brock’s long-time co-driver Larry Perkins was also present and delivered the race winners’ Peter Brock Trophy to the grid of 52 racers.
Perkins and Brock formed one of the most iconic partnerships in the early chapters of Australian motorsport, pulling off a Bathurst 1000 three-peat from 1982 to 1984.
But the sport’s tribute to ‘Peter Perfect’ didn’t stop at lights out, with fans erupting into applause on lap 5 in reference to Brock’s racing car number.
“Absolute chills,” Richard Craill said on Seven.
“Hairs on the back of everyone’s neck. What a moment, great celebration.”
Brock’s protege and great mate Craig Lowndes is part of this year’s 26-car grid contesting the 161-lap marathon, lining up for his 33rd bid at claiming the holy grail of Australian motorsport.
A seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner, Lowndes has paired up with rookies since Jamie Whincup’s retirement in 2021 and says he carries on Brock’s legacy by passing on his knowledge to the next generation.
The 52-year-old shared the No.15 Team 18 wildcard with Super2 racer Bayley Hall after Triple Eight Racing Engineering ditched Chevrolet for Ford last year.
“You miss him (Brock), because you’d like to have that conversation with him before a race,” Lowndes said.
“Twenty years on this weekend, and you can tell by the fans.
“There’s no doubt that there are a lot more people here this weekend because of the milestone.”
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