Gary Kratzmann has been addicted
to motor racing virtually since he could walk. His favourite play
toys were cars - matchbox size or bigger - it didn't matter as long
as it was a car.
It was a logical step when he was
old enough he was one of those boys who turned up for his licence
test on the first available day. Then it was another logical step
from road cars to track cars.
As finances were not available, in
his early career, he made himself available to pit crew for who
ever he could. In the late 1960's, he crewed for a driver by the
name of Eric Olsen who raced at Surfers Paradise and Lakeside (Queensland)
and also the National Speedway circuit.
In 1970, Gary bought a twin cam Escort
from England and went about preparing it for racing with the intention
to drive himself. Finances would not let him prepare the car without
assistance, which lead to his involvement with Eric Olsen who went
on to drive the car for Gary, achieving great successes in the class
Australia wide, including a class win in the Australian Touring
Car Championship in 1972 and fourth outright. Allan Moffat and Peter
Brock were other contenders.
They contended the car at Bathurst
and were running second in class when a rock went through the radiator
and put them out of the race. No spare available to continue on
the day!
Gary Kratzmann with ace Craig Lowndes
Gary went on then to start building
race cars for other drivers in speedway. In the early 1970's an
XU1 Torana for Len Hennessy, who competed down the east coast of
Australia and went for many months undefeated. They set track records
everywhere they raced. This vehicle had a Dick Johnson motor in
it and was fully prepared and built by Gary.
As time went by, Gary did work for
many drivers in Australia in preparation and then in the early 1980's,
built an American style speedway car driven by Darren Munro and
competed Australia wide, representing Australia in teams racing
against the Americans. This vehicle at Archerfield speedway accumulated
the highest possible points for any vehicle in one night's racing
- Australian or American. This vehicle won many a championship -
including the Queensland and Western Australian titles, breaking
track records wherever it raced.
As his sons grew up, he decided to
retire from the sport and point them towards a wider variety of
other sports. With wife, Ann, they worked with their two children,
Brent and Clint, and had tennis coaching provided for them to help
them achieve high levels. Brent played pennant tennis, whilst Clint
won a State grass court Catholic Schools title. At the age of 14,
Clint took a liking to golf and by the age of 17, was playing off
a handicap of 3. He now works for the family Company, as does Brent.
At the age of 20, Brent decided he was leaning towards motor racing.
He built three of his own Commodores, of which the third one was
the pinnacle of his drag racing. This vehicle became the world's
fastest street legal Commodore - the standard quarter mile time
was 9.90 seconds at 137 mph.
In the year 2000, he was invited to
Archerfield Speedway to have a drive of a sprint car - the formula
one of Speedway. After half a dozen lessons, he decided to lease
his own car which he campaigned for three months towards the end
of the season. One week after he received his open licence, he qualified
for the Queensland championship and on the first night of qualifying
was fourth top qualifier. He was a non-finisher in the final due
to a race accident.
The original mean machine!
In 2001, he bought his own sprint car and is now
campaigning it as a rookie. His successes will be updated on this
site as time goes by. He now has his own team with father Gary,
brother Clint, chief mechanic Graham Williams and Paul Rooks.
Another of Brent's achievements in his rookie year, he did the
tri-city series, Townsville, Cairns and Mackay in October and
finished sixth - a very creditable performance for his first attempt.
As of November 18, Brent was leading
the points chase in the Modified Sprintcar Asosciation fo Queensland
(MSAQ) with five events completed. The Sprintcar newcomer has collected
85 points thus far and possesses a 14 point advantage over his nearest
rival.
Gary, Brent and Clint in the workshop
Brent is planning to race Archerfield International Speedway and
Parramatta International Speedway for the rest of this season. He
will also race at Lismore and Toowoomba to gain all the experience
he can. For his campaign goal, next year is to qualify for World
Series Racing, competing against the best of Australia and America.
Bella's step-sister Lily she loves
to get involved in the motor racing - as soon as the sprint car
comes out - she's there!
Lily is ready to go too!
With a Dad like Gary into cars and caravans, it
is little wonder that Brent and Clint have both followed in his
footsteps - Brent with the cars and Clint with the caravans. And,
of course, none of these mere males would manage without that tower
of strength forever in the background, supporting and organising
- wife and Mum Ann.
She must smile quietly when she see her three males
in deep discussion - at least Ann has her beautifully kept garden
as her sanity break!
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