Motorsport world mourns death of champion driver

The motorsport world is mourning the death of champion Brisbane driver Cameron Bartholomew after his sudden death, aged 28.

The Hyundai Excel state champion died suddenly according to Bartholomew’s fiance Chloe O’Carroll, who broke the news on social media.

“With the heaviest of hearts we announce that heaven gained another angel this morning,” she wrote on Thursday.

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“Our beloved Cameron Bartholomew has passed away and we are in complete shock

“Understandably we are heart broken and are spending this time as a family to support one another during this difficult time.

“We respectfully ask for privacy while we grieve and reminisce the life that we were so lucky to share with Cam.

“For those that had the pleasure of knowing and being touched by Cameron’s presence there will be memorial details shared in time.”

Bartholomew and Ms O’Carroll shared three children and she posted a series of photos of the Brisbane driver posing with them, celebrating a win.

Fellow driver Brock Giblin said he was “absolutely heartbroken”.

“Cameron Bartholomew was one of the first I messaged 11 years ago when I first started racing cars, to lose him today is just nothing short of shattering,” he wrote.

“My deepest condolences and thoughts go out to his family. I’m going to miss you heaps mate.”

Bartholomew’s former co-driver Jayden James Peacock wrote he was “gutted”.

“Glad I got the opportunity years ago to go Porsche racing with KPH racing crewing with Cameron. We were both only babies but made some damn good memories. From there we become good mates,” he wrote.

“Love ya, mate, rest easy. Our thoughts are with Chloe the kids and family.”

Series X3 Club in Bartholomew’s home state of Queensland described Bartholomew as a “larrikin with a heart of gold”.

“It is with immense sadness that we announce the sudden, unexpected, and tragic passing of one of our own racing family, Cam Bartholomew,” they wrote.

“He will be deeply missed. Vale Cam! Series X3 Qld offers our deepest condolences to Glen, Chris, Chloe and their families.”