Australian motor racing legend Peter Brock was killed Friday after crashing his car during the Targa West Tarmac Rally in Western Australia. Brock, 61 and co-driver Mick Hone were driving in their Daytona Coupe through the small town of Gidgegannup, 40km east of Perth when Brock lost control of the vehicle coming out of a hairpin turn, the vehicle hitting a tree. Hone was injured but conscience when medical crews removed him from the vehicle and is reported to be in a stable condition at Swan District Hospital.

Born February 26 1945 in the Melbourne suburb of Hurstbridge, Brock would become one of the most famous names in Australian sport, over the 1970s and 80s he won the nation’s most prestigious motor race, the Bathurst 1000, held at Mt. Panorama a record nine times driving Holden cars. The most famous of those victories was in 1979 when Brock won by a race record of six laps and fans lovingly nicknamed Brock “King of the Mountain” and “Peter Perfect”. Brock also won three Australian Touring Car titles and achieved more pole positions than any other driver in the history of the sport.

Peter Brock and his Holden was the poster boy of the sport during its golden age and Brock’s racetrack battles with Ford drivers Allan Moffat and Dick Johnstone were the stuff of legend.

Brock was also a stickler for safety on the track and on the road, actively supporting government campaigns to reduce drink driving, spending much of his career sporting the number 05 on his vehicle to match the blood alcohol limit of 0.05% that has been in place in Victoria for many years. Brock’s 05 sits along with Don Bradman’s batting average of 99.94 as the most iconic numbers in Australian sport.

After an acrimonious spilt with Holden in 1986, Brock returned to the car maker in 1994, retiring from full-time racing in 1997. Brock was not lost to racing after this time, with Brock focusing more on rally driving and competed in the Bathurst 1000 on two final occasions in 2002 and 2004.

Brock was also very active off the track, working as an athlete liaison for the Australian Olympic team in 2000 and 2004. Brock was also a member of the board of Australian Grand Prix Corporation since 1998 and was a one-time board member of the Collingwood Football Club, his other great sporting passion.

Honoured with the Order of Australia Medal in 1980, Brock also established the Peter Brock Foundation, charity aimed at supporting underprivileged youth. Such was Brock’s impact on Australian sport and society in general that people, including those too young to remember him at his would line up for hours to get Brock’s autograph.

Brock’s passing has left Australia in shock, especially following the death of Steve Irwin. Two of Australia’s most famous citizens, both dying suddenly doing what they loved.

It is expected that the Victorian state government will offer Brock’s family a state funeral.

Brock is survived by ex-wife Beverley, to whom he was married 28-years, children Jamie, Robert and Alexandria as well as current girlfriend Julie Bamford.