IHRA Australia
are saddened to hear of the sudden
passing of Des Curnow owner of the
retired Blackjack Racing Team. We would
like to pass on our deepest condolences
to his wife Helen and sons Brett and
Darren and to Des's family.
Des started of
Drag Racing back in the early 90's with
his Black VL Commodore in which Grant
Watt drove for a number of years.
Des then purchased a Chevy Camaro which
was run for a season or two, before
making a deal with Ex Pro Stock Racer
Hans Van Dyke, and then taking ownership
of the VN Commodore Pro Stock vehicle
with Hans taking ownership of the
Camaro. With son Brett getting itchy
feet Dad put Brett in the VL to get a
feeling before stepping into the VN.
With the VL being sold son Brett was put
behind the wheel and never looked back.
In 2005 Tim Nielsen had one of many
stints behind the wheel of the VN
helping with some R & D testing on some
Smart Carbies in which longtime friend
and crew chief Bruce (Shrinker) Robinson
had manufactured.
With Sydney up and running in 2004 it
was all systems go, with the Blackjack
entrant being present at almost every
event. Longtime friend and Crew Chief
Bruce Robinson (Shrinker) was bought up
from SA for each meeting. Bruce had made
his own carburetors (Smart Carbies) in
which Des let Bruce use the Blackjack VN
as a test bed for R & D.
The VN was sold in December 2012. Son
Brett had purchased a Harley VRod
Destroyer in which he formed FRENZY
Racing which Des got involved in, with
Brett and the whole family enjoyed for a
number of years. With Des retiring Des
focused on being on the Board of Sydney
Dragway for a number of years before
moving up to Gosford with his wife
Helen.
Des was a True Gentleman and will be
missed by all who new him. RIP
