IAMC Lifetime Achievement Recipient--Current

The International Automotive Media Award for Lifetime Achievement will be presented to Peter Brock on June 20, 2011.

Two subjects have always been central to Peter Brock's career in the world of automobiles: competition and aesthetics. From his first involvement with cars at the age of 11, when he discovered Ken Purdy's Kings of the Road, and then took an unforgettable ride in a supercharged MG special, heʼs seldom wavered.

His photo archives include the first races he captured on film, the Pebble Beach and Reno Road Races in 1951, at the adventurous age of 14. Today he still attends as many different types of events as possible, photographing and reporting on the progress of the sport and the aesthetic state of the art.

Peter has been in love with the elegance of beautifully designed and engineered machinery ever since he first became aware that the greatest examples were always created by individuals with innovative ideas. "Time always distills the finest from the myriad ideas of those who seek success, but racing accelerates the process; it separates truth and reality from mere fashion design," he explains. "Whether it's Le Mans, Baja, Bonneville, Pikes Peak, a Top Fuel meet or just running hard on dirt at any number of classic American ovals, I've found there's always a special, almost indefinable blend of innovative ideas and beautifully hand-fabricated hardware, combined with bravery and skill that makes our special world of art and engineering such a wonderful and exciting place.

"I love participating and writing about all forms of competition and design. Long ago I found that true racers are special people. It matters not whether they are involved cerebrally with the basic concepts, the actual creative design and fabrication, or finally putting the results of those ideas to test on the track, each in his own way is seldom given to compromise. There's great beauty in that kind of sacrifice; in striving, always to be the best."

Peter came to journalism by participation in all of the above when he designed the world championship-winning Daytona Cobra Coupe for Carroll Shelby in late 1963. That two year odyssey with the men who actually built and then raced his radical concept to ultimate success for America at Reims in France on July 4th, 1965 provided the gritty and sometimes hilarious material for his first book on the sport. The sell-out success of that endeavor led to other interesting assignments all over the world. He's been at it ever since with his wife and noted photographer, Gayle, shooting and writing about every facet of his favorite subject, cars.

Recently though, he's taken more time to devote to his other passions: history, politics, art and especially automotive design. "Besides writing something that others might enjoy, there's nothing quite as satisfying as the quiet excitement and beauty of carving a new shape in clay."

IAMA Recognition of Lifetime Achievement

This award is given to an individual who has, in the eyes of his or her peers, made a substantial contribution to the craft for a period of twenty-five or more years. This award is determined by thirty members of the automotive media from a variety of disciplines voting for two of five names submitted by five nominators. Nominators and voters change each year. The continual varying of selectors and voters ensures a broad cross-section of input in determining each year's recipient.