From the driver’s seat

Whenever I get the chance to climb into a race car, I never hesitate.

I open the door and jump straight in. It is one of those things that brings me pure joy.

Even if the car is not heading onto a track, I love getting a real-life perspective of what the driver can and cannot see.

As a spectator, it helps me understand what is happening in the driver’s seat when they are out there racing.

Recently, while working with a great group of volunteers to organise the Drive Wise Foundation’s “Champion First Responder Day,” I had a moment that stopped me in my tracks.

Peter Champion has the Shelby Daytona in his collection, the very car Peter Brock was driving when he had his fatal accident.

I was looking over it, fully aware of what happened on that September day in 2006.

Peter Champion was asked to restore the Daytona back to race-ready condition after the crash, and it looks immaculate.

You would think it was a replica; it is that good.

As I stood there, I found myself thinking about Brock.

About how he changed the way drivers and fans interact.

How he lifted the professionalism of driver interviews.

How he mentored young drivers like Craig Lowndes and helped shape them into who they are today.

Peter Brock was a driver for the people. He believed in Holdens and stayed loyal to the brand throughout his career.

Growing up in a Blue Oval family in the 80s and 90s, Brock was the villain in our house.

Dick Johnson was the underdog and the Ford favourite, along with Allan Moffat, John Bowe and Glenn Seton.

It wasn’t until later in life that I realised just how much Brock did for the sport.

He was inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame in 2001 for his impact on the Australian Touring Car Championship and the V8 Supercars Series.

When I was asked if I wanted to sit in the Daytona, I hesitated for a moment.

Then I got in and sat in the driver’s seat. Straight away, there was a sense of Brock in the car.

My smile faded as my mind went back to that day in 2006. I looked at the passenger seat and thought about his co-driver, Mick Hone, and what he must have seen.

My usual curiosity of checking seating position, blind spots, the dash, the pedals all disappeared. I was overwhelmed with sadness.

Someone told me to smile for a quick photo, but I couldn’t. Knowing that a legend sat exactly where I was sitting, and knowing what happened, hit me hard.

I will always be grateful for that moment. It is grounding. It is real. It is raw.

We stood around for what felt like hours listening to Peter Champion share stories about his great mate.

How they met, their history, and the moments that shaped their friendship.

If you want to hear some of these stories and see the collection for yourself, head to the Champion First Responders Day event page and book tickets.

Champion’s First Responder Day is all about supporting the people who show up first at motor vehicle incidents.

Truck drivers, SES, Ambulance, Police and Fire.

Proceeds go to the Drive Wise Foundation to support the mental health of these responders. There will also be memorabilia auctions.

This is a limited, ticketed event. Entry is $25, giving you access to Peter Champion’s personal collection of trucks, tractors, and of course the Holden Dealer Team 05 cars.

There will also be displays from local motoring and motorsport clubs, along with vehicles entered in RockyNats 06.

The event falls on 16 April and tickets are available at www.drive-wise.com.au