Peter Brock tribute forms part of Weekend at Brocky's event

CHARLTON could have a new annual event after the organiser of the first ‘Weekend at Brocky’s hailed it as a success.

About 100 visitors made their way to Charlton, north-west of Bendigo, for plenty of old-fashioned fun and tall tales from Australian motor racing’s golden era.

Phil Brock – the younger brother of Australian sporting icon Peter Brock – said he was rapt with the turnout, with some event-goers travelling from parts of New South Wales and Queensland.

He said the event delivered on its aim to lure visitors to Charlton and provide a boost to the town’s businesses.

“A lot of them were surprised what a pretty little town it is,” Mr Brock said.

“When I first decided to put on Weekend at Brocky’s I said to myself it didn’t have to make a lot of money – I think we made a small profit.

“But it’s been in a hell of a lot of ways a great success. Some of the businesses in town have done really well out of it.”

The event kicked off on Saturday at the heritage-listed Rex Theatre with a movie and documentary show featuring some rare footage of Peter and Phil’s touring car careers.

The brothers were teammates at various points throughout the 1970s and 80s, finishing fourth at Bathurst in 1977 after starting the race on pole.

Highlights of Phil’s career as a stunt driver in Mad Max and Mad Max 3: Thunderdome were also presented.

A Saturday evening dinner heard from what Mr Brock referred to as the "unsung heroes from the period, including touring car mechanics who worked magic with precious little resources”.

The weekend ended with a display of cars on Sunday.

Mr Brock revealed a documentary on Peter, who won a record nine Bathurst 1000s, was nearing completion.

He hopes to show it in Charlton on the day of its official release, which was originally scheduled to coincide with this year’s Bathurst race on October 12.

“I’ll be seeing it on Wednesday, which is getting close to the final version,” Mr Brock said.

“Hopefully the producer will have a better idea this week when it will be complete and when they will show it.

“It focuses on the period of 1984 to 87, which is a great period to tell.”

Mr Brock praised Charlton residents for getting behind Weekend at Brocky’s.

“The assistance from everyone in town has been great,” he said.