Long term karting icon and engine builder, Colin Hurst, passed away earlier this week. Holder of multiple Australian Titles as a driver, Hurst was renowned for the fast engines he prepared.
Words that keep coming up in tributes to Hursty on social media are “perfectionist”, “legend”, “great bloke”, “awesome engine builder” and on it goes.
In the selection below, many have remembered, and will miss, Colin Hurst.
A small selection of comments posted on social media
Karting NSW – We are saddened to learn this week of the passing of one of Karting’s greats – Colin Hurst. Colin is best remembered for his engine building mastery – having built engines alongside John De Pasquale, since 1978 from the iconic location of Canterbury in NSW.
Colin was also the holder of 4 consecutive National Titles in the Open Super class, 2 NSW State Titles for Open Super as well as many other wins. His expertise and experience propelled many other drivers on to racing glory such as Neil McFayden/Tim Slade/Mark Winterbottom/Paul Laskazeski/Shannon Price and Jonathon Venter to name just a few.
The board and members of KNSW would like to express our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of ‘Hursty’. He was a legend and character in our sport and will be greatly missed.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday 22 June 2021 at 11am by Bowden Family Funerals: 365 Pacific Hwy. North Wyong. May he Rest In Peace.
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Tim Craig – Colin Hurst, very simply the most honest genuine person I had the privilege to have around me for many years and I got to spend many hours working with him and he shared so much of his experiences with me and I’m so grateful I got to know him the way I did. He was like my second dad, we would laugh, argue and disagree but 5 minutes later we were best of mates. Rest In Peace, you have been a real inspiration to so many people in your life and especially me. Your attention to detail was truly amazing and I thank you for all the values you taught me.
Troy Hunt – For Jim Morton we had #coronaforjim. Colin Hurst loved a Jim Beam in a can. Let’s all have a #jimmyforHursty. RIP great man. The one thing that stands out today is the respect from his peers… We had an amazing team. We pushed each other to perfection. But at the end of the day, Col was the ultimate perfectionist and helped us all perform at our peak. We will never forget him.
Drew Price – Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Hurst. Colin was a unique character and a genuine person. I have clear memories of the first time I saw his Twin Engine Kart with its chrome plated exhaust pipes that went over the top of the engines in Tasmania in1972. Donna and I have good memories of a true perfectionist.
Tim Pauling – When you’ve been involved in karting as long as I have, I honestly can only think of a handful of people that can compare to the ICONIC Status that Colin Hurst definitely deserves. What he did for our sport, the character he had, & the perfectionist that he was puts him in a class of his own. I never drove for Colin, or used his engines. But F*#k I had respect for the man! Thank you Colin for everything you did for karting in Australia.
Darren King – I’m lost for words… the amount Colin did for my racing career and personally let alone everyone else that was privileged to have him in their corner. Karting has lost a true legend of the sport. He was a very simple man but the knowledge he had to how things worked and how to get the most out it was unbelievable. That wasn’t just in engines, he knew how to drive you to win and believe in your ability and for that I will never forget him . RIP mate you will be missed.
John de Pasquale – I lost my best friend Colin Hurst today. He passed away about 6.30am this morning at Wyong Hospital. RIP. Love you mate.
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