Mr Keith Williams passed away today on the Gold Coast,Queensland after suffering a serious stroke.
Keith Williams developed the Surfers Paradise Raceway, the Seaworld on the Gold Coast,Hamilton
Island Tourist Resort in Northern Queensland, and the Hinchinbrook Tourist Recort..Until recently
he owned a comprehensive motor-cycle museum
He is survived by his wife Thea ,daughter Rebecca and son Ben. R.I.P.
Keith Williams R I P
Started by
ronmac
, Oct 18 2011 23:55
3 replies to this topic
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#2
Ray Bell
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- 80,252 posts
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Posted 19 October 2011 - 00:12
He did more than that for racing, too...
And if not thwarted in his quest, he would have had new circuits in Sydney and Melbourne as well as the two he built - Surfers Paradise International Raceway and Adelaide International Raceway.
He also raced himself. In an odd sort of way it's difficult to think of him as a friend of Sid Sakzewski's, but he was. Sid once told me that the difference between them - as racing enthusiasts - was that he was more interested in the business end of it.
It was his drive that got Jack Brabham to Surfers Paradise just after he'd won the World Championship in 1966, that created the annual 12-hour race and helped build the sport in Queensland. Drag racing was another winner with strips incorporated in both his circuits.
But his initial fortune-building venture was the Water Ski Gardens on the opposite side of the road to the circuit at Carrara. This launched him into all the succeeding ventures.
And if not thwarted in his quest, he would have had new circuits in Sydney and Melbourne as well as the two he built - Surfers Paradise International Raceway and Adelaide International Raceway.
He also raced himself. In an odd sort of way it's difficult to think of him as a friend of Sid Sakzewski's, but he was. Sid once told me that the difference between them - as racing enthusiasts - was that he was more interested in the business end of it.
It was his drive that got Jack Brabham to Surfers Paradise just after he'd won the World Championship in 1966, that created the annual 12-hour race and helped build the sport in Queensland. Drag racing was another winner with strips incorporated in both his circuits.
But his initial fortune-building venture was the Water Ski Gardens on the opposite side of the road to the circuit at Carrara. This launched him into all the succeeding ventures.
#3
Andrew Fellowes
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- 753 posts
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Posted 19 October 2011 - 02:14
In '66 Keith wanted to decorate the town for the event, Council refused permission so Keith and Don McLaren went around in the middle of the night attaching bunting to all the street lights. Council were good enough to leave it there!
On Sundays evenings after the races Don used to put on a barbecue for the drivers at his restaurant Grumpy's. His stories are hilarious.
So sorry to hear Keith has gone.
On Sundays evenings after the races Don used to put on a barbecue for the drivers at his restaurant Grumpy's. His stories are hilarious.
So sorry to hear Keith has gone.
#4
Terry Walker
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- 3,005 posts
- Joined: July 05
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Posted 19 October 2011 - 06:48
I recall reading that Keith held the powerboat lap record for Surfers Paradise Raceway. One year it was well underwater after a flood so he got out a powerboat . . .
