The Australian karting community is in shock after learning of the passing of Con Toparis on the weekend.
Con is the father of top-line karter (and now car racer) Costa. He became an iconic figure in Goulburn and the city’s cycling scene. More about Con and his tragic passing is on the Bicycle Australia website HERE.
Karting Australia
It is with sadness that Karting Australia acknowledges the passing of Con Toparis.
Con passed away on Saturday February 18 following a road accident while cycling in his hometown of Goulburn.
Con is the father of 2022 Australian KA2 Champion Costa Toparis, who was last week announced as a driver for the Carlin team in the GB3 Championship in England.
Karting Australia on behalf of the entire karting community offers its condolences to the Toparis family and friends.
Canberra Kart Racing Club
The Canberra Kart Racing Club would like to pass on its condolences to the family of Con Toparis
CKRC President, Bob Harnas, said “We were shocked and saddened when we received the tragic news.”
“Con and his family are members of our club. Con was a successful racer in his own right, but is better known to CKRC for his total passion and commitment in helping his son, Costa, succeed as a race car driver.”
CKRC passes on our heart felt support to Cons family at this sad and difficult time.
Lorraine Farley:
It has taken me a while to write this, there are no words to describe the heartbreak of loosing a friend in tragic circumstances. Con was someone I was proud to call a friend. He and his family were so trusting of Troy and I and supportive of everything we do. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to get to know Con on a different level last year. There was so much more to Con than what most seen and I loved getting to know Con for someone other than just the dad of a kart racer. It was undeniable how much he loved his family and what he would do to see them succeed. He was so full of energy, never stopping in his pursuit of providing everything he could to see Costa succeed. It was no different seeing him in action at his other love The Greengrocer. He beamed with pride when he told me about his eldest son Eli buying his first house. His family was his motivation.
Costa summed it up so well last year when accepting his Australian Championship, Con was the crazy guy who checked the tyre pressures more than anyone, he was the crazy guy who ran from corner to corner. He rode every lap with Costa and just like I told Con then, Costa’s success was every bit of a credit to his hard work, dedication and passion for his sons racing. Con wasn’t crazy he was a passionate and proud dad. There’s no doubt in my mind that Con will continue to ride every lap with Costa and the talent that Con developed and shaped in his son will forever make him proud.
The shock and disbelief that came with the phone call on Saturday hasn’t subsided. In my eyes Con was a man that never slowed down and I just couldn’t fathom that he was no longer with us. My heart breaks for Lana, Eli and Costa. They are all in my thoughts and hope that the strength that Con gave to them every day, will live in their hearts forever.
RIP my friend, we will miss you.
Karting NSW
Rest in Peace Con
Karting NSW along with the whole karting community is shocked and incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Con Toparis.
Con was a talented racer, respected businessman and community member. But most importantly he was a very devoted father and husband who was so proud of his family.
Our karting family will all be able to recall seeing Con and Costa at many tracks over the years and will have memories of Con by Costa’s side while he rose to the peak of his chosen sport.
We’d like to pass on our condolences to Lana, Elias and Costa and the wider Toparis family. We hope that the family know the entire karting community’s arms are wrapped around them at this very difficult time.
Newcastle Kart Racing Club
Newcastle Kart Racing Club are extremely saddened by the news that we have lost one of kartings finest men!
Con was a fantastic supporter of both NKRC and Karting in general. Always kind, happy and encouraging.
We offer the entire Toparis family our complete condolences and have each and every one of you in our thoughts and prayers.
To Costa, please know that we are thinking of you mate at this extremely sad time but hope to see that wonderful smile of yours back soon!