Free Republic

MOTOR racing legend Peter Brock has been killed in an accident while taking part in the Targa West rally in Western Australia, motor sport officials have confirmed. The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) said in a statement the accident occurred about 1.50pm (AEST). Sixty-one-year-old Brock's co-driver, believed to Mick Hone, has been taken to hospital in a stable condition. CAMS said it would conduct a full investigation into the incident. In the meantime, CAMS and event officials were working with the relevant civil authorities. "On behalf of the motor sport community, CAMS offers its sincere sympathy to Peter's family...

FIRST Steve Irwin and now Peter Brock. The sudden, tragic deaths of two Aussie icons in one working week – one in the waters off Queensland on Monday, one at the base of a tree on the other side of the continent on Friday – have shaken Australians to the core. Both were doing what they did best and loved most. Both relished the challenges of hazardous occupations, and won fame and admiration for the successes they achieved doing it. Getting up-close and personal with lethal animals, and driving racing cars, both carry obvious risks. The deaths of those involved...