Digging through the AN1 Images archive can sometimes be a very long process – it’s easy to get distracted while searching for something in particular among the thousands and thousands of images.

For this week’s AN1 Images Memory Lane story we’ve dug out a shot snapped by Terry Russell at Winton back in March 1969 of a very young Peter Brock still seven months away from making his debut in the race at Bathurst that ended up defining his career.

Brock’s performances driving his famous Holden-powered Austin A30 in Sports Sedan races and hillclimbs captured the attention of Holden Dealer Team boss Firth, as did a single drive in a car that is little-known among the legendary machines Brock drove in over 30 years of motor racing.

In March 1969, Brock raced this HR Holden Premier in a race for production-type cars at Benalla’s Winton Raceway.

Car dealership Watson’s of Greensborough (from the Diamond Valley region where Brock lived), had the Premier but found difficulty moving it out the door.

So, in a bid to generate publicity for the dealership – and to attract a buyer for the Premier – Watson’s engaged Brock to race it!

Previously run as a drag car, the HR scored some special Dunlop tyres, six-inch wheels and brake scoops and was prepared for Brock to have his first race in a car other than the Austin A30.

Brock greatly impressed in the Premier, finishing third behind Alan Hamilton’s Porsche 911 and one of the top Minis – both of which were well-suited to the tight and twisty Winton circuit.

Brock held off all the other Holdens in the race and the rest, as they say, was history…

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