R.I.P. Brad KNOWLSON

Wazza · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 05:03 PM

I know that this is not really the place for this...
But, I'd like the "Cobra gang" to know that we've lost a genuine "Cobraholic" in our Friend Brad Knowlson.
Brad passed away yesterday afternoon, losing a battle with that mongrel disease Cancer.
Once he had been bitten by the Cobra bug...he loved every chance he could get to get in his car and drive "anywhere"....and always looked like he was having a ball .
He LOVED his car....and always joined in on any Cobra related activity going.

He built his car here at the factory,and he was proud to tell everyone he came across , that his was "The First"completed and registered.

He made some good friends here at the factory, and made plenty of good friends in the Cobra car Club of Queensland.

I had a beer for him last night...and will do the same tonight.

Tip your glass to him when you get a chance....
and I hope you all can get as much joy from your lovely cars as Brad did.

A really nice bloke, who will be sadly missed.

Warren BOYLAN,
Club President,
Cobra Car Club of Queensland.

Paintwerks · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 05:08 PM

RIP Brad. Top bloke with a big heart!

You will be greatly missed.

Enjoy driving on those endless winding roads in the sky.

Bernica · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 05:26 PM

God Bless and God's Speed to Brad! He will be in our prayers for sure.

deano59 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 05:39 PM

bloody sad news ..i met brad when i was at the factory ordering my car had a nice chat with him . sorry to hear of his passing he seemed like a top bloke
regards dean

spookypt · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 05:44 PM

Thanks for posting this Wazza. I have no doubt Brads reach stretched out afar and there will be those who only learn of Brads passing from your post.

I sat with Brad and chatted at SCCNC2 and I remember distinctly our conversation and in the end we both cracked up at something we'd both said. A real raw belly laugh and one where despite lifes issues a good freekin laugh really made things feel pretty good.

I'm gonna miss him. Always one of the "yep I'm ins" or more so who needs an invite I'm going driving in my Cobra.

Lovely genuine bloke and one of the good guys who has left us way to early.

Miss ya mate, was great having the chinwags. We will all be a little emptier thinking you wont be joining us on the next run but rest assured we'll tap the load pedal hard in your honour always.

Spookypt

leroy17 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 05:55 PM

Everything that has been said above is exactly how I remember Brad. Along with any side little dig he could get in about anything, he was a mate to many as well as a great friend.

A guy who could talk about anything, but some of the biggest laughs come from the stories about the stinky taxi drivers.

Will miss you mate, keep racking up those k's with Ol' Shell up there.

Tenrocca · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 06:09 PM

Really sad news that Im very sorry to hear. Got to meet Brad at the 2014 nationals. Really lovely bloke to talk to and laugh with who didn't seem to take any of the forum fun and games too seriously as should be the case. When he ended that weekend early I fondly remember his positive attitude and not letting it spoil his new cobra buzz.

Had noticed fewer visits here by Cobra01 of late and know he will be missed.

RIP Brad.

muzzza · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 06:28 PM

Will miss you Mate.......Muz

albanycobra · #9 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 09:08 PM

Rest in peace Brad.
I remember when Brad started his build thread, I was checking in once a day for updates. I never met Brad but really enjoyed his posts here, will be missed.

Lexluther · #10 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 10:19 PM

So Sad
I met Brad at the factory a couple of times, when he was just ordering his cobra and when he was doing a quick engine rebuild, lovely bloke who loved his Cobra
RIP Brad

Donunder · #11 (**permalink**) 03-03-2016, 11:24 PM

Any guy who would let me drive his newly registered car, and such a historically significant one at that, up around the dams and over Mt Glorious over some less than perfect roads, can't be all bad. Covering some 200 klms of sometimes spirited driving in the very first of the Pace cars with its owner totally relaxed beside me, through a beautiful part of the south-east on a perfect Queensland afternoon is a memory that will stay with me always.

You were a bloody champ Brad, and if we are to believe the teachings you're now on a journey that surpasses the understanding of we mere mortals. God speed mate. We'll beep as we go past your Hyperdome pick-up spot on Sunday. Our convoy will be one short.

mate · #12 (**permalink**) 03-04-2016, 12:55 AM

I was lucky that when I asked Brad if I could bum a ride for CarsNCoffee 2 he was gracious enough to say yeah no worries. He didn't know me from Adam and it would have been easier for him to say no. But he didn't. That says lot a lot about the fella I reckon.

Condolences to the family.

Rest in Peace Brad.

guye · #13 (**permalink**) 03-04-2016, 02:09 AM

First met Brad at Shelbyfest 2014. Helped convince me to buy a cobra! Sought his advice many times over the past few years. Agree with all - he was such a great bloke!

RIP Brad.

750hp · #14 (**permalink**) 03-04-2016, 04:33 AM

Some people are just easy to like. Brad was always up for a chat, and it never failed to end in a laugh. As already said, he was keen to be part of whatever Cobra related event was on and had a passion for the cars and for just getting out in the open with cool cars and friends.

I think it's perfectly fitting that the quote from Brad in the first photo that Wazza posted was actually the last ever comment that he made on this site. It sums up his enthusiasm brilliantly.

It just feels so unfair that he had only retired recently and won't now be able to relax and enjoy his free time.

RIP mate, it was good to know you.

Towmaster · #15 (**permalink**) 03-04-2016, 07:49 PM

I remember taking brad for a hot lap at the Nationals a couple of years ago in the Cobra. Someone had just got out of the passenger seat and Brad was next in. The tyres were hot and she was ready to go. I said we will just ease into it the first lap then I'll give it some. I took off out of the pits and floored it, left nothing in the tank, car was sliding everywhere.
As we came down the front strait again I looked over and he looked pale and a little uncomfortable.... I tapped him on the arm and said 'you ok'? He briefly glanced at me and then kept looking ahead. He later told me that he was that scared that he had forgot to breath and that he was lucky I tapped him because it reminded him to breath. I thought he was joking but he must have told nearly everyone that weekend.
So glad I could make your day on that occasion.
RIP mate you will be missed.

Wazza · #16 (**permalink**) 03-05-2016, 03:05 AM

We'll be seeing Brad off on Wednesday.
His daughters want to drive his Cobra to escort him.....and I will be there with his other "Cobra mates" all in our Cobras to see him off.
The girls said that it would make Dad happy if we could do this....I agree...so not a problem.
I'd like that too....when it is my turn.

SydneyChris · #17 (**permalink**) 03-05-2016, 03:16 PM

Sad to loose a good man... cancer is just relentless.

May he rest in peace.

750hp · #18 (**permalink**) 03-08-2016, 02:18 AM

If any Brisbane or northside folks are planning to see Brad off tomorrow, there are a handful of Cobras leaving the Shell service station on Coro Drive, Milton at 11am sharp.

albanycobra · #19 (**permalink**) 03-08-2016, 02:41 AM

Good luck Fella's. Brad and his family will be in my thoughts tomorrow.

spookypt · #20 (**permalink**) 03-08-2016, 09:33 PM

For those who couldn't attend I can report Brad had a really really nice farewell today. The place was packed with many people standing outside and not a dry eye in the house. His daughters spoke beautifully and made me realise there was a lot more to the bloke I knew. I wish we could talk more.

Lots of the cobra community attended. He will be very very sadly missed and I for one came away feeling that as usual the good guys/gals always leave us too early. He has left an indelible mark on us all.

Matto