Peter Brock – tributes to a legend deleted
August 22nd 2007 23:06
A “memorial wall” dedicated to Peter Brock on Mount Panorama has been white washed by Bathurst Council ahead of next month’s Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar race.
Fans were shocked as the tributes, all handwritten on a concrete barrier situated on the Peter Brock Skyline section of the track, were painted over just a few weeks before the first anniversary of Brock’s death.
Bathurst Council says public safety and a desire to establish a lasting tribute to Brock are the reasons the decision to paint over tributes was made.
Mayor Norm Mann said the most appropriate way to maintain the memory of Peter Brock and the safety at the top of the mountain was to remove the messages which were becoming faded by the weather and causing traffic issues as people were stopping cars in the middle of the road to either write on the wall or take photos of it.
“Council is very aware of the value associated with the heartfelt messages and sentiments written upon Brock’s Skyline and for that very reason chose to preserve it in a manner befitting a man of Peter Brock’s stature,” Cr Mann said.
“The fact of the matter is that the wall is located on a public road which creates legitimate safety concerns for people wanting to access it.”
“It would be irresponsible for Council not to act on an area of the circuit where there is a known public safety issue.
“The messages were painted only after a professional photographer had captured the images of the memory wall which will form a lasting tribute to Peter Brock’s memory,” he finished. “At the end of the day Mount Panorama is a world class motor racing circuit and needs to be preserved as such, just as I’m sure Peter Brock would have wanted.”
Many top V8 Supercar drivers, including Brock’s good friends and compatriots Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife, argued against painting over the heartfelt and emotional tributes, obviously seeing the wall for what it was – a fitting tribute to the King of the Mountain, the man who challenged the mountain and won. And a way for fans to express the sorrow and shock they felt at his untimely death.
But not everyone is angered by the decision by the council.
Another of Brock’s friends Brian Nightingale has defended the decision to whitewash the wall. "I think the wall was seen as a bit of an eyesore,” he stated, “and Peter would have said 'Let's get on with business'."
Peter Brock’s brother Lewis, spokesman for the Peter Brock Foundation, has made another suggestion … a way for fans and compatriots alike to commemorate the man considered one of the best motorsport drivers ever.
"Everyone we have spoken to seems to want a bronze life-like statue," said Mr Brock, “there are statues of sportsman around the nation. Don Bradman in Melbourne, Wally Lewis in Brisbane, which are lifelike and in fact awe-inspiring.
"They are bold, they don't wear out and they stand the test of time and they become recognisable for future generations.
"Of course I am biased but I think Peter's statue should be similar and so do most of the people we speak to about it."
The unnamed tribute planned by Bathurst Council will be located in the almost completed Peter Brock Memorial Wing of the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama.
Last year’s Bathurst race, the first after Brock’s death in September 2006, saw the presentation of the inaugural Peter Brock Trophy, fittingly won by Craig Lowndes, protégé and friend of Brock, and Jamie Whincup. A statue on top of the mountain tamed by Peter Brock, seems like an equally fitting tribute.
Peter Brock won the Bathurst 1000 endurance race a record nine times, the Sandown 500 nine times and the Australian Touring Car Championship three times.
Samples of the photographic tribute of the memorial wall on Brock’s Skyline can be seen at the Mount Panorama website Really Long Link
Image courtesy of www.abc.net.au
Fans were shocked as the tributes, all handwritten on a concrete barrier situated on the Peter Brock Skyline section of the track, were painted over just a few weeks before the first anniversary of Brock’s death.
Brocky
Bathurst Council says public safety and a desire to establish a lasting tribute to Brock are the reasons the decision to paint over tributes was made.
Mayor Norm Mann said the most appropriate way to maintain the memory of Peter Brock and the safety at the top of the mountain was to remove the messages which were becoming faded by the weather and causing traffic issues as people were stopping cars in the middle of the road to either write on the wall or take photos of it.
“Council is very aware of the value associated with the heartfelt messages and sentiments written upon Brock’s Skyline and for that very reason chose to preserve it in a manner befitting a man of Peter Brock’s stature,” Cr Mann said.
“The fact of the matter is that the wall is located on a public road which creates legitimate safety concerns for people wanting to access it.”
“It would be irresponsible for Council not to act on an area of the circuit where there is a known public safety issue.
“The messages were painted only after a professional photographer had captured the images of the memory wall which will form a lasting tribute to Peter Brock’s memory,” he finished. “At the end of the day Mount Panorama is a world class motor racing circuit and needs to be preserved as such, just as I’m sure Peter Brock would have wanted.”
Many top V8 Supercar drivers, including Brock’s good friends and compatriots Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife, argued against painting over the heartfelt and emotional tributes, obviously seeing the wall for what it was – a fitting tribute to the King of the Mountain, the man who challenged the mountain and won. And a way for fans to express the sorrow and shock they felt at his untimely death.
But not everyone is angered by the decision by the council.
Another of Brock’s friends Brian Nightingale has defended the decision to whitewash the wall. "I think the wall was seen as a bit of an eyesore,” he stated, “and Peter would have said 'Let's get on with business'."
Peter Brock’s brother Lewis, spokesman for the Peter Brock Foundation, has made another suggestion … a way for fans and compatriots alike to commemorate the man considered one of the best motorsport drivers ever.
"Everyone we have spoken to seems to want a bronze life-like statue," said Mr Brock, “there are statues of sportsman around the nation. Don Bradman in Melbourne, Wally Lewis in Brisbane, which are lifelike and in fact awe-inspiring.
"They are bold, they don't wear out and they stand the test of time and they become recognisable for future generations.
"Of course I am biased but I think Peter's statue should be similar and so do most of the people we speak to about it."
The unnamed tribute planned by Bathurst Council will be located in the almost completed Peter Brock Memorial Wing of the National Motor Racing Museum at Mount Panorama.
Last year’s Bathurst race, the first after Brock’s death in September 2006, saw the presentation of the inaugural Peter Brock Trophy, fittingly won by Craig Lowndes, protégé and friend of Brock, and Jamie Whincup. A statue on top of the mountain tamed by Peter Brock, seems like an equally fitting tribute.
Peter Brock won the Bathurst 1000 endurance race a record nine times, the Sandown 500 nine times and the Australian Touring Car Championship three times.
Samples of the photographic tribute of the memorial wall on Brock’s Skyline can be seen at the Mount Panorama website Really Long Link
Image courtesy of www.abc.net.au
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Comment by ChrisB
Formula 1
The Social Centre
A bronze statue is all well and good - but its a bit cliche...
Comment by David
Seriously, it only takes a bit of common sense to solve the problem. Oh shit, we're talking about council members.
It would be a bit of a stretch to construct a concrete barrier in a safe place on Mt Bathurst and let race fans write what they want. It would cost less than commissioning a bronze statue.
Did the council consider how dangerous it was for council workers to whitewash the walls?
Moronic.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
...but...and however...I do agree with this;
...what Peter would not have liked is the disregard shown to his fans.
I think the wall should have been kept...but placed elsewhere, like in a Brock Memorial Museum...next to more walls that can be signed with messgaes and tributes from fans.
A bronze statue??
....so not Peter Perfect's style.
I think parts of Panorama should be renamed Brock Rock.
...sigh...he was such a gorgeous man...
Hope you're well hon...
Dusk
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
It's a difficult one, isn't it. If the council is telling the truth and it is actually a safety issue then I can appreciate why they've done what they did.
I do hope it's not just an excuse though.
The bronze statue idea? I agree, it's a bit 'old hat', although it is a honour and a respectful tribute. Maybe some bright spark will come up with something else.
A.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Well, we all know that council members have to share a brain cell ... must be very difficult for them.
hahahahahahahahaha ... probably not.
A.xx
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Exactly right ... PB knew where his priorities lay and his fans were one of the most important things to him.
It's a shame they didn't think of moving the wall somehow before they painted over it. Oh yes ... sorry I forgot ... council workers!!
I'm great, hope you are well too. Have a wonderful weekend.
Cara.xxxx
PS Yes ... a gorgeous man indeed.