He was the champion of Queensland a record equalling seven times in 1974 and earned 26 international caps for the Australia national speedway team.
However, he came to the notice of British clubs in 1947 and the Exeter Falcons manager Frank Buckland signed him in January 1948.
[5] In 1951, he left Ashfield for fellow Scottish club Motherwell Eagles and recorded a respectable 8.37 average.
[7] Gurtner finished his British leagues career in London, with West Ham Hammers from 1953 to 1954[8] but he continued to ride in Australia and was made captain of the Australian side in 1960.
[9][10] He went on to win his seventh State title in 1967 and raced for the final time on 5 June 1971, shortly before his 50th birthday and having broken 52 bones throughout his 30-year career.