Kiwi driver dies on day of Brock remembrance

The New Zealand driver involved in a massive accident on the first day of the Bathurst racing festival last Friday died from his injuries yesterday, his family said.

Mark Porter, 31, died in a Sydney hospital after suffering serious head and chest injuries when his Holden Commodore was struck by another car in a V8 Supercar race after the New Zealander had clipped a perimeter wall.

The news came on the day thousands of motor racing fans flocked to the circuit near Sydney to pay tribute to the late Australian motor racing legend Peter Brock, who died in a rallying accident last month aged 61.

"The family wishes to convey their heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of the medical crews who have been involved all the way through," the family said.

"They gave Mark every chance at life, for which we thank them."

Porter became the fourth driver to be killed in racing at Bathurst.

David Clark, the driver of the Ford Falcon that collided with Porter's car during Friday's race, was initially placed on the critical list but is now recovering and breathing unaided, a hospital statement said.

The Bathurst 1000, the meeting's showpiece event won by Brock a record nine times, was won by Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup.

They were awarded the inaugural Peter Brock Trophy for their triumph.