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[Picker]

I raced there between 1984 and 1988 when the track was at Duckworth Street in Garbutt.

Originally the track was beside the Weir State School Kirwan hence the club's name.

Started racing with a couple of mates, Garrett Watkins and Dion Domin. The other guys we raced against were Matt Cain, Brett Haupt and Shane Cox. We raced age group for the first couple of years but when we got to 14 or 15 we all raced opens(16 & over) on a Friday night and usually we had a two heat gate.

Senior riders were Gordon Hasselberger, Doug Crees, Michael Earwaker, Roland Badnoch, Scott Fuller, Graham Rutterman and Michael "Killer" kilpatrick for a while. Other riders just above me were Judd Burgess, Brendan Cox, Michael koops, Simon Attlee and Craig Symes. A couple of our junior stars were Karl Hinspeter and John Johnson.

Picker

[racer1]

I know most of these names. If you're curious as to what they are doing now:
Gordon Hasselberger is married with 3 kids, has a sucessful glass & aluminium business in Townsville. Has been with same lady since early 90's.
Doug Crees last known to live in Brisbane, got into Mountain Bike racing which still does (and still did ball room dancing!). Think he ended up marrying a woman with two kids or was it 4 kids? - she was much older than him;
Michael Earwaker has been in and out of the Townsville gaol for about 12 years for stalking, fraud, pretending to be a pilot etc just like you see in the movies! His story makes for a good laugh if you google his name and look up his latest antics. :-)
Roland Badnoch sadly was an alcoholic and didn't mind a bit of drug taking from late teens onwards, last known to do carpentry.
Scott Fuller was last known to be married with kids but broke up. Not sure what he's doin now after working in the family business in Townsville (daycare centre).
Judd Burgess was a self obssessed body builder but still managed to get dumped by his beautiful girlfriend for being a liar and cheat. Ended up marrying an ugly fat chick, had 3 kids and now is a Principal of a school with a total of only 30 students at Rollingstone, Townsville.

[ac/dc]

I remember racing at the Track in Townsville where the Lakes is now !

Long time ago and a lot of fun !

Craig

[Picker]

racer1,
I see Gordon has been doing well.
I have spoken with Doug, he lives on Brissy south side.
Michael was a strange dude!
Roland was moving to Adelaide to settle down when I last saw him at the Townsville Airport about 8 years ago, he definitely loved a good time.
I talk to Scott pretty regularly, remarried and a few more kids.
Judd is Judd.
Obviously you are a few years older than me, did you race at the club?

Sam Brattan was the bike dealer up there where we used to get our parts from, sadly old Sam has closed the shop, last time I went past!

Picker