Motorsports champion Cameron Bartholomew has been remembered as a “true racing prodigy” after his sudden death, aged 28.
Bartholomew’s fiancee Chloe O’Carroll, who shares three young children with the Hyundai Excel state champion, broke the news on social media.
“With the heaviest of hearts we announce that heaven gained another angel this morning,” she wrote on Thursday.
“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.”
Ms O’Carroll shared a series of photos of the Brisbane driver posing with his young children and celebrating a win on top of a racing car.
“He was a true talent behind the wheel,” one friend wrote on her post.
“He was also a young mate to many of us in motorsport and we took pleasure in assisting his challenges and helped him make a name for himself.
“There are so many people today who I’ve spoken with who are devastated beyond belief. He was a son, a husband and a dad who had such an incredible future.”
Tributes poured in from friends and fellow drivers, with Bartholomew’s former co-driver Jayden James Peacock writing 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.”
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.”
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.”
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