the book on 18 gilt-edged years. At the front General Motors, riding shotgun with various Brock: of the knotted crowd, a thin, bearded man scribblers. He'd done it often, and we knew looked on intensely, showing no emotion. The each other pretty well - professionally – after papers called him The Guru, but his name is Le Mans, the stories on HDT and all those Countdown to Dowker – Dr Eric Dowker. races over all those years. I even owned one of his cars - a special he'd knocked up under Catastrophe Then John Harvey turned and melted into the the old mate’s act. Even so, it was time to ask crowd, as the backslappers and the media a delicate question: descended on Peter Brock. Quietly, in an Edited by Ian Williams uncrowded corner, Harvey gave vent to his "What's this new gizmo I keep hearing This article has been reprinted with the feelings. “The warning bells have been ringing whispers about, Brocky, that one that permission of the Editor from Wheels for six months and l've said to him, 'Can't you fixes unleaded fuel?" Magazine’s April 1987 edition. hear them?" Neatly and with good humour, he skirted the Harvey spoke with great sadness and question but offered to tell me more when he resignation about a partner he'd worked with was ready. for 12 years. "Next week is our last chance, and if that doesn't work, then it's all over. The gizmo first appeared - unannounced - on He'll have to compromise, but I can't see that one of his cars just prior to the VL launch. lt happening in his present frame of mind. l'll was attached to the plenum chamber, but support him, yeah, until lt looks totally Holden didn't know what it was and neither hopeless. But if we can't get cars from Holden did anyone else. Brock wasn't saying, then we're buggered. That's the although scuttlebutt suggested he'd bottomline ..." developed an anti-pinging device to get more compression - and thus more power - into Five days later John Harvey, the most loyal unleaded V8 engines. lf he'd done that, he knight The King of Bathurst ever had, joined was sitting on a fortune. Allan Moffat and so many others by resigning his commission. For Peter Brock, the Meanwhile there were stories emanating countdown had finally reached zero. from the racing team that no journalist could believe, let alone print. Magnets in the dyno ZERO MINUS 22 MONTHS room, magnets under the bonnet of race cars, Peter Brock, one of Australia's best loved Sunday, June 17, 1984. Le Mans. crystals too, and strips of shiny foil ... surely Brock was shattered. Mentally and physically. not we said. After all, this is Brock we're and most successful sportsmen, has reached the end of his l8 year association with Living in the same chateau, sharing the same talking about. Holden. Phil Scott tells how. dinner table, it wasn't hard to observe the effort Brock expended. The fraught Sarthe 24 Time passed and the rumours gathered The background music was bright and brassy: Hour campaign with Larry Perkins had left strength. Ray Borrett, Holden engineer and him drained, and after all that buildup, all the factory link man with the HDT, would just the rollicking Glen Miller number In the Mood. John Harvey, cigarette in hand was feeling publicity, the defeat hurt very badly. Brock shrug his shoulders when l’d mention Brock’s had failed and he returned to Australia ailing, box. He'd tell me l'd better ask Peter about it. neither bright nor particularly brassy. The black dinner suit perfectly matched his desperately in need of rest and relief from the Ray, one of Holden's straight arrows and a disposition. unrelenting stress of the previous month. friend of Brock, was uncharacteristically ill at ease on the subject. He had good reason, for

Harvey knew what he was looking at: he saw His wife Bev introduced him to Dr Eric ultimately it would be a major factor in Brock Dowker, a chiropractor and natural health warning him off the HDT site. Other Holden beyond the black-tie glitter, the chandeliers, celebrities and television cameras. John wizard. Brock looked terrible. There were executives and key members of the racing Harvey believed he was witnessing the final rumours he had cancer, others said he'd team were perplexed. Dr Dowker's influence moments in a countdown to self destruction. suffered fibreglass poisoning driving the Bob was becoming more apparent and it created He was watching a mate commit - at very Jane Monza. some unease in the corridors of power and on the workshop floor. Unease is probably the least - corporate suicide. At worst, a hero-to- zero slide into oblivion. Under Dowker's guidance, Brock regained his wrong word. Coincidentally or otherwise, first strength, gave up the cigarettes, and Larry Perkins, then engine builder Neil Burns Loyalty, but not blind loyalty was all he had seemingly returned to his old self. At work, it quit. Former Holden National Service left. That and the sliver of hope that even this was business as usual at his burgeoning Manager John Stevenson, who left GMH to Special Vehicles division. At home, Brock had run the road-car side of Brock's business, late, he might be able to salvage a reconciliation from the ashes. a new friend. Dr Dowker had become more had resigned some time earlier. than a chiropractor and health adviser. . .

It had begun a long time ago, this business, ZERO MINUS 12 MONTHS ZERO MINUS NINE MONTHS and it was not of his making. He had tried Tuesday, February 18, 1986. Friday, May 9, 1986 desperately, valiantly, to wind back the clock, Brock was in lhe passenger's seat as we A letter arrived from Peter Brock, asking me reverse the tide . . . but he was fighting a approached Byron Bay on the official Holden to call in and see him for the run-down on his drive-day for the new VL model Commodore. little "sucker". On an overcast Friday force that defied logic and the normal rules. afternoon, we sat down in his inner office and John Harvey watched as his friend, business He was relaxed and talkative as we punted he talked. I was unprepared for what partner and co-driver Peter Brock took to the along through the northern hinterland, followed: Brock's box had a name. He called it podium and unveiled the car that symbolised towards a lunchtime stop at the Byron Surf The Energy Polarizer, and it wasn't an Club. Brock was doing his usual PR bit for anti-pinging device. In his own words: his obsession. At that moment Brock closed middle. To give my newspaper, The Sun- "lt’s a magic cure - it makes a shithouse car Herald, its due, the story ran uncut on May good." Polarizer rear window sticker 18. lt caused quite a stir in motorsport circles and also within the motor industry. There Uh. huh. How does it work? Eyes flashing, Brocky arced the Momo over were worried looks at Holden. and squeezed down on the gas. The protests "Physics doesn't recognise that this energy of squealing rubber echoed off warehouse It wasn't until several months later that the exists or that it can do these things." he said. walls in the deserted back streets of Port significance of the rear window sticker was "So, the laws of physics are going to have to Melbourne. explained to me. “This sticker, you see, had to be redefined." be positioned exactly - because it acted as an "l know it's good. I know it's teriffic." he said, antenna for the polarizer. The star-spangled Was this really Peter Brock talking, the self- "and I know eventually it will become motif actually gathered energy from the taught engineer, the practical hard-nosed accepted . . ." atmosphere...” racer? The words suggested otherwise but the delivery and the manner were totally The automatic kicked down a gear. Brock, ZERO MINUS FIVE MONTHS plausible. animated now, flicked the car left then right September 25, 1986 through a roundabout: Coombe Circuit, England.

The Polarizer explained The prototype Calais Director, especially built "l refuse to accept the conventional, you Extracts from the DB Tech description of the Energy by the HDT and Holden emerges from a know. l've always had an inquisitive mind: Polarizer comparison test program against the M5 always read a heap of books and the most BMW, Ford Cosworth Sierra and Mercedes- "The polarizer is a transmitter that sends out outrageous ones are the ones that appeal to Benz 190 2.3-16 in fourth place. The car is on an ultra-high frequency charge that's neither me most. lt gets the brain thinking - what did the first leg of a round-the-world road test electric nor magnetic. lt's a form of energy the human race know at some other time that program initiated by Wheels Magazine, that is called orgone energy ... it makes a car run it doesn't know any more?" to take in the US and Japan. The idea was Quieter, smoother and takes away a lot of begun in February 1985 when editor Peter those oscillations and squeak because the We sped down an indifferent piece of Robinson first spoke to Brock about the idea molecules are in nice alignment. It's the concrete roadway to Yara Bay. Brock was of comparing a Brock Commodore against the difference between flying over a piece of positively effusive: best sports sedans in the world. The project natural bush and an orchard - one is random, was delayed by the introduction of lead-free the other is ordered." "How's the stability - it's ridiculous, isn't it? fuel and the lack of an unleaded V8. The

lf you drove a standard Commodore down prototype was finally built in July 1986 and “An Energy Polarizer transmits a high energy I asked if he was fair dinkum. Brock exploded, that bit of road lt'd be bouncing all over the then shipped off to Europe. mainly generated by the vehicle to which it is leaping to his feet in indignation at my place. That’s a fact." attached. This high energy field – A.B.A. Energy – impertinence. He calmed down and the story lts specification was based on the Calais causes all molecules in its sphere of influence to continued: The car did ride well, but it ran a modified Director with a five speed gearbox, an be aligned or polarized to the direction of the high suspension and low-profile rubber that was adaptation of Opel's Senator / Monza, energy transmission, and are held in a linked or "You can expect the car to work better as an under-inflated to just 24 psi, both factors independent rear suspension, and with the aligned state… entity." he said. "lt won't ping and not only is which would improve ride quality. He dived bolt-on body kit that distinguishes the “The printed circuitry in a Polarizer causes a it quieter but it gives additional benefits in for the marbles on the edge of the road and Director from the lowlier cars in the HDT multiplicity of frequencies to be transmitted, roadholding and traction. lt simply behaves mashed the brakes down hard. I think it was range. The car was supplied by Holden to affecting each molecule and allowing that better. You have to throw out what you learnt meant to prove the Commodore had ABS Brock, who carried out the modifications, and molecule and its environment to absorb specific at school. This is a new sheet of paper and we style brakes. He squeezed the throttle again was then driven briefly by Ray Borrett before vibration levels…” start from scratch." and buzzed the Calais through the gears. I being driven to Sydney by Editor Robinson. thought maybe I heard it ping under load, but After 2000 km of motoring the editor Where is the proof then, I inquired? He’d Brock didn't think so. He wasn't worried expressed disappointment in its performance been to GM's Milford proving ground in the about sceptics anyway compared to the leaded VL Director which USA, he said, and "their top engineering boy had so impressed the magazine the previous came back and said “hey, what's going on “There’s never been any truly avante garde year, found it excessively noisy and the rear here. What have you guys done?"' Brock invention that hasn't received derision." he suspension bottomed out over bumps when claimed quipped. the car was loaded. The ride, however, was GM tests were still under way but they would superb. prove very positive: "l sit back and say, OK, I know you don't comprehend but that doesn't mean that It was fitted with an energy polarizer. The "l'm totally confident because the answers what's happening isn't happening..." magazine decided to ignore the device since it I've had back are along the lines that initial believed it had no effect, one way or the reaction was great, that it works well and all Back in the office, at Brock's suggestion, I other on the car's behaviour. Brock however vehicles should be fitted with one. That's from telephoned Beverley Brock in an effort to insisted that the car run on 22 psi in the tyres the guys doing the hands-on testing in the grasp the concept. We talked for 20 minutes, although the recommended pressure is 35 States, but from there you get into the realm she with impressive authority and conviction: psi; and the compromise of 26 psi was of politics . . ." me with fragmented understanding. Dr unsatisfactory. And when the car was run Dowker didn't get a mention, but Brock later against the Americans at Willow Springs in Then came the demo, for Brock was anxious credited the chiropractor as his co-developer December, the tyres had the full 35 psi, The for me to try a polarized car. It was a Calais LE on the polarized project. Calais wiped the boards with the Americans. six with a rear window sticker proclaiming it Japan, it seems won’t now happen. to be polarized. Writing that story - the first polarizer piece any journalist had published - was a difficult This is the overseas testing referred to in task. lt had to be played straight down the Brocks brochure for the 1987 Director, which is mechanically the same as the prototype but Holden, fearing consumer fraud claims, ZERO MINUS FIVE DAYS has an even wilder body kit. "The Director wanted nothing to do with Polarizers and, on Thursday, February 12, 1987 has been uniquely tested throughout the November 12, Chuck Chapman wrote to his Fisherman's Bend. United Kingdom, Europe and the United dealer network. He advised there would be no They gathered at The Bend for a crucial States - with sensational results" So says the more polarizers on Holdens. HDT, apparently, conference. Holden's Director of Marketing brochure. Yet, in a Ietter to Robinson, Brock agreed not to fit the device. Rob McEniry, his lieutenant John Crennan and says of the US comparison, "many of these engineer Ray Borrett. Across the table sat comments by you leave things understated ZERO MINUS 3 WEEKS Brock. These men had practically grown up and with less impact than we expected. We January 187, HDT Melbourne together under the GM umbrella. will leave the vehicle where it is until further Brock dropped his first bombshell by inviting notice." only selected pressmen (excluding all those - According to the minutes of that meeting, including me - who had not written McEniry "indicated to Mr Brock that Holden ZERO MINUS FOUR MONTHS favourably about the polarizer to a function at Motors Co (HMC) considered he had broken Sydney Motor Show, October 1986. his Melbourne headquarters in Bertie Street. the spirit and intent of an agreement reached The polarizer issue had reached crisis point It was to launch a range of "Plus Pack" in December with respect to the marketing of shortly before the Sydney Motor Show. Commodores. The thrust was that a Brock the Energy Polarizer and product Holden had quietly issued a statement saying conversion could now be ordered with any modifications that contravened Australian it could find "no technical merit" in the Commodore or Calais in the Holden range. At Design Rules". Brock responded by saying polarizer and could therefore not endorse its Fisherman's Bend the excretia hit the fan. Holden had been the first to break the use. The statement was a Holden face-saver Brock had not consulted on this new plan. agreement by saying the polarizer has no in what had become en ever-widening rift. lt Holden said for them the Plus Pack was shock technical merit and by issuing written was obvious by then that Brock’s Milford tests news. Yet Holden had to certify that statements to the press. had washed out, but both Brock and Holden the cars complied with Australian Design had signed a legal agreement not to publish Rules. The company was footing the warranty the results of the tests. Now he was talking bills too. Both matters were viewed seriously conspiracy. On November 25, on the by Holden. telephone, he told me: "lt's pretty obvious what's happening. GM has looked at this and said why should Brock have lt. We'll develop it ourselves . . ."

Commodore Group A homologation Specials Behind closed boardroom doors the fight grew more heated. Holden wanted Brock to McEniry was cool. He pointed out that Holden drop his Polarizer: Brock said no. He retaliated dealers were very concerned at the continued by refusing to allow his signature to be used marketing of the polarizer despite Chapman's on the 500 Pemanent Red Commodore Group letter of November 12. Then he dropped his A road cars … Holden built them as thunderclap. Rob McEniry tabled a letter the homologation specials for his racing program: Australian Holden Dealer Council intended now he was thumbing his nose. The Sydney Morning Heralds David forwarding to all dealers recommending non- Robertson, one of the favoured few at Brock's purchase of HDT modified vehicles and a stop "After all," he told me. "l am permitted to say soiree, explained the complex shuffling of to all dealer cash flowing to the racing team. what I feel. So, I reserve the right to put my polarizers and company names better than According to the minutes, Brock "expressed name on what I wish to put it on - and it anyone in the March issue of Wheels. his concern that legal actions would certainly won’t be on this latest car. " occur should this letter be forwarded". "Brock has established a separate company -

Peri Integration - to fit the device, road test Brock pleaded a breakdown in each car, and issue the Peter Brock certificate communications. He agreed there would be of authorisation. He has also appointed an absolute end of polarizing by HDT and that another company, CGM Marketing of Bendigo no car would be shipped to a dealer fitted to market the polarizer as part of a Plus with the device. Pack to dealers and the public.

Brock also toed the line on ADR compliance, "Peri lntegration is a wholly owned subsidiary agreeing that all his future vehicles would of HDT Special Vehicles and is credited by comply, but stipulating that he could not be Brock with total design and engineering held responsible if polarizers were fitted after responsibility for all HDT products since His signature was scratched off the Momo the sale. He said that would be 'a laissez-faire August last year. Brock insists that he is steering wheels. He'd only endorse the car, example of a free enterprise system complying with Holden's wishes that its name give it full Brock status if it was fitted with his functioning within a democratic society, and not be associated with the polarizer in any Plus Pack – a euphemism for the polarizer. fully supported by the legal system of that way, by sending every car he makes to Peri Some cars were sold that way. society..." lntegration before shipment to the dealer. The meeting broke up. Later that day Holden

got word that Brock was planning to launch "l spent several hours in Brock's company another special – the Director - on February during the launch before establishing that 20. The following telex was then sent from every car bearing his signature will be fitted Grant Steers, Holden executive in charge of with a polarizer." HDT liaison, as well as being a life long friend

of Brocks:

“Management has requested information on telex refers was not, of course, an example of Holden bit its corporate lip. Within the your company’s new model to be publicly the proposed new model, and was not company there were many executives who released on February 20. I was embarrassed examined by us from the point of view of silently prayed for Brock to change his mind somewhat when I couldn’t provide an answer safety, handling and compliance with and deliver a car by 10am Monday. as I have no knowledge of this subject. Prior Australian design regulations. ln those to public release or prior to customer delivery circumstances we have no alternative but to ZERO MINUS THREE DAYS can you provide detailed listing of model formally require you to deliver to us for Monday, February 16. specifications. Can you provide use of new testing by no later than 10:00am on Monday, Fishermans Bend model to HMC for engineering department February 16, an example of the new model, Brocky missed the most important review? Please advise by return today as I’m together with detailed specifications as to appointment in his business career. He didn’t looking sillier than Collingwood in any modifications … deliver a Director. He only had one, and it September.” wasn’t fully finished. The deadline passed. 'We are conscious of the proposed 'unveiling' Holden management conferred and a letter ZERO MINUS SIX DAYS of the model on February 20, and wish to was delivered to Brock from the general February 13, HDT Port Melbourne indicate that we are concerned to attempt to counsel's office. Brock wasn’t at the office to receive the telex resolve the outstanding questions regarding but his secretary contacted him and cabled the new model as quickly as possible." It said, in part: "This letter is to confirm that the following reply: as at 10am today there has been no compliance with the request for delivery. “Peter has told me the following which should be an adeqate answer to the questions you "As a courtesy it is confirmed that following posed. The specifications you requested of non-compliance with the request this the '87 Director have been outlined on company will proceed to protect the interests numerous occasions via the Wheels of itself, the dealer network and the Magazine. Peter Robinson, his colleagues and community without notice to you." associates have conducted numerous tests, accumulating the driveability, durability and Brock was as good as sacked and on Thursday, performance test data …” February 19, Holden issued a statement which in part said, "with regret business relations 1987 HDT Brock Director The reply left Holden engineers with Peter Brock and HDT would have to be dumbfounded, for there is a world of concluded". But there was still hope. His ZERO MINUS FIVE DAYS difference between a magazine specification mates, at Holden and HDT, mounted a February 14, Port Melbourne sheet and the rigorous engineering procedure campaign to try to get him to cancel the Peter Brock's reply stunned Holden. In part it necessary to validate a new model. Brock Director’s debut, scheduled for Friday night, said: "HDT are astonished that HMC are now was, in effect, telling Holden to go buy the the 20th. Brock ignored them, pressing on, saying some months later that HMC has no magazine to find out about its next, new HDT with Dr Dowker and clay modeller Vern knowledge of what constitutes a Director. As model. Mendez, to finish his lone, non-certified HDT have pointed out, the November '86, prototype. December ’86 and January ‘87 issues of For Holden it was the final straw. The matter Wheels Magazine have detailed precisely was referred to the company’s general Precisely what he hoped to achieve with one what components are to be found in this counsel, M. H. G. Whiteman. In a hand hand-built car that couldn't yet legally be vehicle, the excellent primary safety aspects delivered letter Whiteman said in part: registered, only Brock knows. But on Friday, the vehicle possesses, including braking, Tudor House in Kooyong Rd. Caulfield was steering, chassis balance, which are termed as "The telex . . . does not, unfortunately resolve readied for the final act in the showdown. “superb handling”. the difficulties which we face regarding this model. ln short you are proposing to promote ZERO “HDT can only say that it will continue to build a modified General Motors product which, in Friday, February 20. cars to these specifications and that ex-GMH the normal course would carry our usual Tudor House, KooYong. engineer Ray Borrett approved this vehicle for warranties and which would be regarded in John Bertrand was there, so was lan Baker- export to Europe, USA and Japan. If we the marketplace as a General Motors product, Finch and various media heads. It was a wished. Ray Borrett will thoroughly and albeit modified by your company. The curious cross-section of people all dressed to completely endorse the specifications as he situation requires us to be satisfied that the the nines. did previously …" vehicle is one to which we are prepared to extend our usual warranties and which we are For those in the know the atmosohere was “… as the vehicle has been approved prior to prepared to allow to be promoted and sold one of supreme melancholy. This was a sad shipping for international testing, the by our dealers. end. Yet Brock, serene, friendly and discordant note from M. H. G. Whiteman is controlled, was talking about reconciliation: totally irrevelant.” “Unfortunately, we have not as you know had the opportunity to test the proposed model "lt's retrievable," he said. "l'm astounded how Borrett the engineer could not believe the or, indeed, been informed of the technical it’s escalated daily. I believe satisfactory reply. He inspected one engineering specifications of the modifications to our ground can be found if they want to …” prototype for roadworthiness - a far cry from product. You appreciate that we have a full engineering certification for ADR’s. commercial interest and, possibly, a social Doubts remained over the Director's noise responsibility to ensure that all products sold and exhaust emission levels, brake to the public have our publicly confirmed compliance and with a new independent rear confidence ... suspension, it would have to undergo a new

series of barrier crash tests. 'The test vehicle to which your secretary’s

Television presenter Tony Charlton was the He was glib with the hard questions; "ln the Zero Plus MC. At 8.45pm the Glen Miller mood gave next few weeks it will be certified." way to silence. How, without Holden? Saturday, February 21 Holden issues a statement replying to It was a pep talk followed by words of "l'll still buy my cars from Holden " Brock allegations, re-affirming that encouragement from John Bertrand, stressing Holden’s position was taken in the best the hightech nature of the event: '"The left-hand drive version is almost ready” interest of customers and “can see no solution that would revive the “The fact the car has tested so well overseas ''American design rules are not so different to relationship.” tells me what we're witnessing here is a ours." Sunday, February 22 research and development company that Brock appears on television refuting searches for excellence" Bertrand said "They Brock was seemingly content, comfortable claims on Dowkers’ involvement with don't need luck, they need the support of with his decision, although deep down one HDT. He claims media reports are part of Australia and Australians..." suspects, a little shell-shocked to have a “smear campaign” against his friend. discovered that he was after all, dispensable. Monday, February 23 Then the King of Bathurst was on the podium. The good doctor looked on. The final notice had been delivered at Brock’s younger brother, Phillip, returns 5.15pm. lt was all over, yet he was still talking from running his own business in Qld to “This is a very proud moment for me, for about the door "being wide open." That a join older brothers Peter and Lewis at there's the soul of Brock in this motor car. It’s "reconcilliation is always there, anything’s HDT. Brock confirms the sacking of the the pinnacle. A car l'm determined is going to possible in business.” company accountant while rumours succeed. The price l'm paying to release this abound that others on the staff will soon car is very high indeed, but the amount of "Look. Holden had the car and the specs since leave. research and development has given us July and gave me no indication they'd ever Tuesday, February 24 great heart." give me approval, I'm not here to be told Brock claims “cash flow” problems as what to do by corporations that don't have HDT as key staff resign. Advertising Brock, a master presenter went on to tell the Australia’s best interests at heart. This car is a placed in newpapers extolling virtues of audience about a series of exhaustive threat to their design department. The the energy polarizer while Brock still overseas tests: he stressed the export dollars - polarizer is not an issue. The problem is they maintains the polarizer issue is a $250 million, he said, from a 5000-unit order. don’t want me to launch this car because it smokescreen to cover other areas of ‘gives Brock too much power’. Our biggest debate. Then calling Dr Dowker forward as co- problem will be catering for demand." Wednesday, February 25 designer of the car, they unveiled it. Under Drivers Harvey and Moffat resign as HDT the panels and paint it was a modified Holden In centre-floor, Dr Eric Dowker held court. I race division becomes embroiled in the Calais. Without Holden the car was stillborn, even managed an interview. issue. Harvey cites the differences of surely? opinion between himself and Brock over “We don’t get stuck on negativity,” he said, the direction of company policy, while But the general press loved it. The battler “we just do it.” Moffat departs due to lack of contracted fighting the giant uncaring corporation. The drives in the WTCC. Neither driver facts of this huge export order didn't, of He is a lean, fit man with piercing eyes and a indicates any immediate plans as major course stand too much scrutiny. Brock's laudable aim in life: “My purpose is to make HDT sponsor Mobil reaffirms support for Director does not pass ADR’s, let alone the the greatest contribution to mankind that I the team. Brock’s wife, Beverly, appears more stringent US Federal Safety can – and live with total integrity. on television and blasts departing staff requirements. It would take over 1 million as “not being able to stand the heat”, dollars and a year's work to get within reach “I love to see people reaching their level of while Brock plans sale of recent of US approval, and the VL Commodore would potential; people with goals and ambition. equipment to bolster sagging finances. be off production by then. Life is so exciting when you’re going for it, and Stories begin to appear about consumer Peter’s going for it.” affairs departments taking an interest in the polarizer. Advertisements appear for Dowker has no formal automotive training the polarizer with quotes from Mike but says he has a “strong scientific Kable of The Australian and Paul Gover background”. Together, he and Brock “just of the Canberra Times. brainstormed” the Director. Thursday, February 26 Brock sells off new model VL racer to an Queried about his involvement in Brock’s split un-named investor on the eve of the with Holden, he simply said: “I’m not involved Calder ATCC for reputed $100,000 plus. with that, not with the Holden Dealer Team at Brock Calais Director Launch 20th Feb 1987 He signs ex-Nissan driver Gary Scott to all. My role has been design, not production.” race a second VK Commodore. ln many ways it was a De Lorean. An Brock holds a media conference claiming Some would argue Dr Dowker’s role was interesting car without a practical future. ln Holden is attempting to crush his somewhat larger than that. many ways Peter Brock was Don Quixote, business by advising dealers not to sell charging at a windmill he could never defeat. HDT products and threatens legal action John Harvey checked the bottom of his glass, through the Trade Practices Act. Holden lit another cigarette and walked into the But he played the television men like children. rejects the Brock accusations claiming its night. On the other side of the world, the A quotable quote for each one - a big moves were necessary to protect the phone rang in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. Tom corporation crushing the little guy: the loss of legitimacy of Holden vehicle warranties. Walkinshaw took the call … IW export earnings.