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The former track in the Sydney Suburbs
I only lived and worked in Sydney for around 18 months but did manage to get to a couple of track meetings at Camperdown in 1971-2. I don’t remember many of the riders and cannot find a race programme to help .. but I have managed to find some photos.
Never having got around to making a catalogue meant that the track construction photo (left) could have been taken anywhere but a “Bradmill Sheets” advertising sign in the background convinced me that is indeed the suburbs of Sydney.
At the actual track meeting the Italian sprinter (right) looks to be Giordano Turrini and he was certainly sprinting against Gordon Johnson, 1970 World Sprint Champion, then riding as a pro for TI-Carlton. Turrini won as I remember things.
The other notable presence was - I think - Australian Six Day star Reg Arnold (centre) being interviewed in the track centre [if my memory is playing tricks please contact me via the info mailbox]
This general shot of the starting line-up shows the size of the standing-room only crowd - and this may have been the first meeting at the new track. If you spot yourself - or anyone you know - please get in touch. And now someone who was also there has replied -
These guys were the best at the time being the Senior A Grade. From the fence L to R they are
1. John Hartaker St. George; 2. Gary Sutton St. George in the Australian National Shirt; 3. ? Blacktown Club; 4. Mike Thew St. George; 5. Rick Eagles; 6. ? ; 7. ? Bankstown Sports; 8. Greg Barnes Lidcombe–Auburn in NSW State Shirt.
Thanks Phillip
Update May-2023 - A copy of the programme for the opening track meeting at Camperdown has emerged. It confirms the date was Sunday 21 Nov 1971.
30-Nov-2007
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The man with the serious tripod should have some great footage. But where now?
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More searching through boxes came up with a second, larger group of photos - some looking good enough to share on the web; even if only for the “old-timers”. Looking at the big variations in colour there are most likely photos from two separate track meetings here.
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