It has been a sad few days for Australian karting with two prominent industry and karting identities passing away within a matter of days.
Queensland’s Alf Capri succumb to illness on the weekend while Neil Coleman passed on Wednesday after suffering a stroke. They follow the loss of NSW’s Colin Hurst last month.
Below is a small selection of tributes posted to social media.
Alf Capri
Ipswich Kart Club & Funeral Service – On behalf of the Capri Family, thankyou to everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers. It is clear from the amount of comments and outpouring of condolences, Alf had an impact on many many people. Unfortunately, due to the current Covid restrictions there’s a limit on the numbers for attendance to his service. I am sure all can appreciate that these numbers need to be reserved for family and close friends. Understanding this, IKC would like to honor Alf and invite anyone one who would like to gather as a community at the Club, to watch the service using the Live Stream details below via our TV’s on the out grid. The service will be held at 11am on Tuesday the 27th of July 2021. To access the Live Stream, please go to the K.M Smith Funerals Website (www.kmsmith.com.au), click on “Live Streaming” and type Capri into the search tab.
Karting Australia – It is with sadness that Karting Australia acknowledges the passing of Queenslander Alf Capri. Alf lost his hard fought battle with illness and passed away on Sunday night. Alf was one of the founding members of Karting in Queensland during 1958. He is a life member of Karting Australia, Karting Queensland and the Ipswich Kart Club.
Since hanging up the helmet in the early 1990s, Alf has been instrumental on the technical side of the sport. He previously held the position of Queensland State Technical Officer and was also a Clerk of Course, Steward and Technical Official for many years. Along with his wife Maureen, in 2019 he was the recipient of the Spirit of Speed Volunteer of the Year Award at the Motorsport Australia Hall of Fame Dinner.
Karting Australia on behalf of the entire karting community offers its condolences to Maureen, the Capri family and Alf’s many friends in the karting community.
DPE – DPE Kart Technology is very saddened to hear of the passing of Alf Capri. Alf’s contribution to Australian karting and selfless amount of time he dedicated to the sport was exceptional. From all at DPE Kart Technology we would like to send our deepest condolences to Maureen and the entire Capri family during this very sad time.
Sell Family – We are heartbroken at the news of the passing of Alf Capri. Alf was a true gentleman and always had time for anybody who needed it. Alf was such a huge part of Karting and we always looked forward to seeing him at the track. Our thoughts are with Maureen and their family – he will be sadly missed. The tech shed will never be the same…
Ipswich Kart Club – We have lost a true gentleman and legend of our beloved sport. Sadly, Alf Capri lost his hard fought battle and passed away on Sunday night. Alf’s continued hard work, commitment and dedication to karting will never be replicated. There is now a massive hole left in our community, but for all the clubs and racers that were lucky enough to be blessed with his experience, they are now all the better for his involvement and knowledge shared. His cheeky smile, very fast engines, quick wit, tough exterior and gentle heart – will be forever missed. Our deepest condolences and love to Maureen Capri and the entire Capri Family during this very difficult time. RIP Alf – No.29
Ken Bensley – Such sad news, Alf has likely forgotten more about Karting tech then most will ever know. Always so humble and up for a chat. My condolences to Maureen and family.
Lance Orsmond – RIP & Salutations Alf Capri. You will be remembered as a gentleman that lived, breathed and poured your heart and soul into the progression of karting and always willing to share great knowledge and expertise to all. Salutations to you Maureen for taking great care of Alf during challenging times over the last year. Our condolences to you and your family.
Shayne Piper – He was a bloody honourable, polite and respected man. Every time I caught up with him we would chat all things karts and mostly engines. ALF you are going to be missed by many.
Chris Dell – Alf was a true gentleman and one of the greats in our sport. He will be truly missed.
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Peter Virgulti – My first welcome to the sport of karting was with Alf. His passion and integrity towards it was intoxicating and has always stayed with me. As a newb he extended himself to being my spanner man at Archerfield… “I never get to see any bloody racing anyway when I’m at an AKA meeting, always stuck in a tech shed”. The hours of talking shit under his house that was to follow… the floods of 2011… so many memories that will never fade. Please RIP Alf you dead set legend. You will never be forgotten. My sincere and deepest condolences to Maureen, Kathy, Ross and family. My thoughts are with you.
Peter Patzwald – I have had the pleasure to have known Alf for all the 33 years I have been in the sport. We have had many a discussion about all things karting and his great knowledge and passion for karting will surely be missed. My condolences to Maureen and family, we have lost a true friend. R.I.P. Alf.
Tracy Stewart – I to was one of many that was touched by the hand of Alf Capri, a man I first meet at the Oceania race meetings with PCR Australian. This beautiful man became my engine builder for my Clubmans & ReSa motors that were always front runners, but he became a friend, a mentor in not only Karting but also in life. We shared many jokes and laughs together. I will miss you my friend but will always remember you and all you shared with me. Love to you Maureen and family, Alf is now building engines and wining races in the sky. Till we all meet again old friend
Neil Coleman
Tim Pauling (posted in Karting Legends Facebook) – It’s with severe sadness that I have that I type this message. Another Karting Icon has unfortunately left us. Neil Coleman passed away this morning. There’s a lot of you that know/knew Neil. But for those that didn’t, he was an ABSOLUTE LEGEND of our sport. His character wasn’t matched by many at all, if any for that matter. His passion for our sport was immense. Neil suffered a stroke, But never recovered. R.I.P. Neil Coleman. You’ll be missed by many.
Jon Metham – RIP Mr Neil Coleman… Godspeed to you mate. Ee spent countless hours together and with my dad on the chassis tuning and you on the engines we were a formidable team. Many state championships and national titles with many nights at your house watching the dark side of the moon. I thankyou for letting me and my family become a part of yours. May you have that perfect 22000rpm Italsystem waiting for when I arrive up there one day. My condolences Shane Coleman, your dad was truly one of a kind. RIP Neil, no more pain. Peace shine on you Crazy Diamond, see you on the dark side of the moon.
Tim Craig – Wow, another great human who has been around Karting his entire life passing. RIP Neil and and my condolences to Shane and the rest of the family.
Price Family – Very sad to hear of the recent passing of two of karting’s true characters, Neil Coleman and Alf Capri. They both devoted a great deal of their time and energy to karting over many years and played significant roles in the huge growth period of karting between 1980 and 2000. We are grateful for the long relationships we enjoyed and pass our sympathies onto the families – Drew, Donna and Bart Price and the many DPE staff who dealt with Neil and Alf over the years.
Kerry Moore – An absolute Bloody legend of Karting. The man with the fast stop watch!! RIP Neil.
Allan Stevenson – Farewell Neil. I was just one of many you helped through our karting life. My thanks and gratitude should never be underestimated.
Chris Lambden – We’re all getting a bit older aren’t we… really sad to hear. First contact with Neil was way back at the Hong Kong Kart GP back in the mid-70s (I was representing NZ – he was one of “Those Awe-struckin-falians!” … LOL). Super guy, super competitive attitude, and clearly a legend of the sport for a long time. Everyone talked about his engines… Thoughts are with his family and friends.
Jon Baxter – So sad to hear of my mate Neil passing away. Had some fantastic times with Neil, I can’t tell you how much he helped me in karting and my life, great man. Someone said he had the fastest stop watch but really he had the fastest engines. He was the main reason I won. Thanks for that Neil, I will never forget you mate.
Geoff Cullen – Back in the 70s Neil and I both raced heavy class and had some ding dong battles over the years. He always had a story to tell and was a real life character and yes will be sadly missed. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
And earlier (posted 16 June) Neil’s tribute to his friend, Colin Hurst:
Colin Hurst – it would not be possible to find a more honest and genuine person. I met Colin in the early sixties at ASI Camden Kart track – we became good friends. I use to pick up Colin from his work Wire Workers and Weavers every friday afternoon and bring him to my home in Northmead and return him to work on Monday morning. At that time I knew nothing about engines. Colin taught me more than I could possibly explain to you. This went on for a couple of years. During this time Colin won two or three national titles in 200 Super – unbelievable. His opposition had no chance – he was brilliant. I then moved to Qld – Colin use to fly up to Coolongatta – I would pick him up and we would go fishing in the Tweed river – he loved fishing. Colin was straight down the line with everything including life. Colin so many people, so much respect, never any bullshit. Colin – rest in peace – you will be missed by so many. The kindest regards, Neil.
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