Australian motorsport community rocked by death of much-loved kart racer Joseph Bianchini aged 13
The Griffith, NSW local was hospitalised on Saturday after his health deterioriated and flown to the Sydney Children's Hospital later that day.
Karting Australia shared in a statement that he died on Monday.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
'It is with great sadness that Karting Australia shares the news of the passing of New South Wales junior driver Joseph Bianchini,' the governing body said.
'Joseph, 13, was transported to Griffith Base Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning after experiencing a sudden deterioration in his health.
'Later that day he was flown to Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick where he sadly passed away on Monday, August 18.
'Joseph was a familiar and much-loved young competitor in our sport, racing in the Cadet and Junior categories across the country. His energy, passion and friendly nature touched many within the karting community.
'On behalf of everyone at Karting Australia, and the broader karting community, we send our heartfelt condolences to Adrian, Maria and Allegra along with the extended Bianchini family and friends during this very difficult time.'
The news sparked an outpouring of grief in Griffith and around the karting scene, with Bianchini remembered by many as a kind and encouraging friend, teammate and opponent.
It is the second tragedy for his family and the Griffith Kart Club, after Bianchini's uncle — also named Joseph — died aged 15 in a 2003 car accident.
'Words cannot express the loss. Griffith Kart Club has lost another part of its heart and soul,' Griffith Kart Club said after the junior Joseph's death.
'The Bianchini family is part of the very fabric of this club, both in the past and present. Joseph's cheeky smile, sportsmanship, kindness, speed and most of all the respect he had for everyone both on and off the track is something that is admired and an example for all.
'To Adrian, Maria, Allegra, and the extended family and friends our heart goes out to you all.'
The elder Joseph Bianchini is remembered with a memorial trophy named in his honour, awarded by the family to the driver with the best attitude, sportsmanship and spirit.
Matt McLean, a karting champion who also raced in Supercars feeder series Super2, was with the Bianchini family at the Sydney Children's Hospital.
He paid a gut-wrenching tribute on Tuesday.
Matt McLean has mourned the loss of Joseph Bianchini.
Credit: Instagram
'My little Joseph. Spending your last few days by your side up until your final moments was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do,' the 28-year-old said.
'I feel so honoured to have been there with you and to have shared so many special moments together over your life.
'Words cannot explain how much this hurts, and I just thank you so much for always demonstrating the importance of looking out for those around you with complete and utter selflessness.
'This has left a crater in my heart, but I feel far more complete having had you in our lives even though for such a short time.
'It's only been 12 hours and I just miss you so much already.
'I'm so proud of the young man you had become, and making you proud has always been, and will remain, a priority of mine. Such a gifted boy taken too soon. I love you Coyote, fly high.'
Wagga & District Kart Racing Club said they had been 'rocked' by the news of Bianchini's death.
'We send our sincere condolences to the Bianchini family and members of Griffith Kart Club during this tough time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers,' the club said.
'We will miss Joseph's bubbly and often cheeky personality, his sportsmanship and fairness on and off the track.
'The young man he was becoming was truly honourable and selfless. He was always offer encouragement to his fellow karters and would lend a hand to anyone who crossed his path.
'Your memory will forever live on. Forever racing amongst us. Fly High Joseph.'
Joseph Bianchini was a keen swimmer.
Credit: Griffith Swimming Club
Griffith Swimming Club also paid tribute.
'At just 13 years old, Joseph's life was filled with energy, determination and a love for the things that made him happiest,' the club said.
'His passion for motor sport and go-karting gave him purpose, and his time in the pool was never just about swimming — it was training, preparing, building the strength he needed to chase his dream.
'Joseph was cheeky, spirited and brave. He had that rare spark that made people smile, whether he was racing, swimming, or just being his fun, kind and determined self.
'Vale Joseph — forever young, forever remembered.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
3 hours ago
- 7NEWS
What Could've Been: Sam Blease recalls ‘dire' measure Melbourne had to take in 2009
Things were so dire at Melbourne in 2009 that players were asked to buy and bring their own footballs to training. Between 2007 and 2015, the Demons never finished higher than 12th, won two consecutive wooden spoons, and finished in the bottom three a grim five times. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Sam Blease walked into the club right in the midst of that period when he was taken with pick No.17 in the 2008 draft, the same year the Demons took Jack Watts with the No.1 pick. Blease played 33 games across his six years at Melbourne before adding one more for Geelong in 2015. Recalling his introduction to the AFL system, Blease said 'it was pretty awful'. 'I think even in our first year, we were paying for our footies, that's how dire it was with our financial position at the footy club,' he told What Could've Been. 'They'd take $150 out of your pay for the footies and you had to take them home. Every player was (paying for them), and we'd have our numbers on them. 'Not a lot of people probably know that. 'And if you lost it, you had to pay for another one. 'This is what we were dealing with.' Listen to What Could've Been with Sam Blease below, or subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or watch on YouTube. But the 34-year-old, who retired due to concussion in 2015, said he still looked back on it with fond memories. 'The thing is, we go into this not knowing (anything different); that's what we know. You don't know what it's like to be somewhere else,' he said. 'I got drafted from Eastern Ranges with Liam Shiels; I think he played in three flags, I think I played in three wins. 'But it all happens for a reason, right? You can't pick and choose. You go into that knowing that's all you know. 'But going back to the draft, that was a really special thing. 'It's just such a cool day. When you're at the draft and waiting for your name to get called out. 'Typically you sort of know the top 20. 'I think I met with every club but Essendon and Carlton leading into the draft, so I sort of had a bit of an idea where I was going.'
7NEWS
3 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Essendon and veteran midfielder Dylan Shiel part ways following disappointing 2025 season
Veteran midfielder Dylan Shiel's future as an AFL player is suddenly in doubt. Essendon and Shiel have parted ways and it is unclear if there is any interest from rival clubs in the 32 year-old. He has been in and out of the team this year, falling out of favour after Round 10 when the Bombers were thrashed by the Western Bulldogs. Shiel was then dropped and, despite an injury crisis engulfing the club, coach Brad Scott refused to get him back into the team. Eventually, as the Bombers ran out of players, Shiel was finally called back for the Round 19 clash against his former side, the GWS Giants. The 2017 All-Australian does not have a deal for next season and Essendon have no interest in extending his contract. It has been reported that even if the club wanted to re-sign him, he would have declined. The Bombers signed Shiel on good money ahead of the 2019 season. They also gave up two first-round draft picks for the midfielder. St Kilda have previously expressed interest in Shiel. He was on their radar in 2023, but they cooled following concerns about his body and form. However, in 2024 the Saints' interest in the midfielder was rekindled but again it mounted to nothing. Shiel is still keen to play AFL next year. And when he has been given the opportunity, he has shown he can still be a strong contributor. He started the year at half-back, but when he was moved into his preferred midfield spot for the game against Melbourne in Round 5, he was among the team's best with a 30-disposal (and a goal) game. In the Round 20 clash against the Bulldogs, Shiel also had 29 touches. He was banned for last week's match against St Kilda following a curious incident where he pushed Geelong's Mark O'Connor into his own teammate Luamon Lual. The tribunal took almost two hours to reach a verdict after a hearing that went for 66 minutes. Scott said about the incident that Essendon had been punished three times: a free kick against Shiel during the game, an injury to Lual, and a ban to Shiel.
7NEWS
5 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Bernard Tomic spoils the party with win over Patrick Kypson in US Open qualifying
Bernard Tomic's impressive resurgence has put the Australian two wins away from his first US Open main draw appearance — and a $170,000 pay day — in nine years. The 32-year-old offered up moments of his awkward, disruptive best in a comprehensive 6-4 6-4 defeat of American Patrick Kypson on Wednesday (AEST), spoiling the party a packed crowd. One of six Australian winners on the day, Tomic next plays Portugal's Henrique Rocha after the world No.168 upset French veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert in a lengthy three-set battle. Tomic, the 2009 US Open junior champion, hasn't featured in the Flushing Meadows main draw since 2017 and last played qualifying in 2018. But the former world No.17 has returned on a mission after aborting last week's delayed ATP Challenger final in Colombia to properly prepare for his main-draw shot. The Barranquilla decider, delayed a day because of rain, was Tomic's second final at that level in the month and could have been his first major title since 2018. Often criticised for a perceived lack of effort and intensity, Tomic has knuckled down in the last two years to surge from a career-low 835 to at least No.167 when the next rankings are calculated. In June he took two top-100 scalps, including compatriot Rinky Hijikata. A US Open berth would be Tomic's first grand slam main draw appearance since he qualified for the Australian Open in 2021. There are US Open concerns for Australian world No.79 Chris O'Connell, who retired after losing the first set to Roberto Bautista Agut at the lead-up event in Winston Salem. The battling Aussie withdrew from last month's Toronto Masters with an oblique injury and then didn't play in Cincinnati, before attempting a return this week. Jason Kubler will meet Kyrian Jacquet in the second round after beating Brit George Loffhagen 6-4 7-5. Australian women Olivia Gadecki, Priscilla Hon and Lizette Cabrera all won their first-round matches, while Destanee Aiava upset eighth seed Sara Bejlek, 6-4 4-6 6-4. But Alex Bolt and Daria Saville both lost after four Australians had won first-round qualifying matches on Tuesday. The qualifiers are hoping to join a dozen Australian direct entrants, led by men's world No.8 Alex de Minaur, and wildcards Tristan Skoolkate and Tahlia Gibson.
