Motorsport champion Cameron Bartholomew is being remembered as a “true racing genius” after his sudden death at the age of 28.
Bartholomew's fiancée Chloe O'Carroll, who has three young children with the Hyundai Excel state champion, broke the news on social media.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce that heaven has acquired a new angel this morning,” she wrote on Thursday.
“We are in complete shock at the passing of our beloved Cameron Bartholomew.”
“Understandably, we are heartbroken, but we are also taking this time to support each other as a family during this difficult time. We are so lucky to share this with Cam. We respectfully request privacy as we grieve and remember the life we had.
“Details of the memorial will be shared with those who were touched by Prime Minister Cameron's presence in due course.”
Ms O'Carroll shared a series of photos of the Brisbane driver posing with young children and celebrating his victory on top of a race car.
“He had a true talent behind the wheel,” one friend wrote in the post.
“He is also a young colleague of many in our motorsport world and we were delighted to support him in his challenges and help him make a name for himself.
“Many of the people I spoke to today are incredibly devastated. He's a son, a husband, a father, and he has a great future ahead of him. Ta.”
Tributes poured in from friends and fellow drivers, with Bartholomew's former co-driver Jayden James Peacock writing that Bartholomew was a “broken bone”.
“I had the pleasure of competing in Porsche races with Cameron as part of the KPH racing crew many years ago. We were both just babies, but we made some very fond memories. We will be in good company,” he wrote.
“We love you, buddy. Please rest assured. Our thoughts are with Chloe, her children and her family.”
“It's really heartbreaking,” said fellow driver Brock Giblin.
“Cameron Bartholomew was one of the first people I messaged 11 years ago when I first started racing cars. To lose him today is nothing short of devastating,” he wrote. .
“My deepest condolences and thoughts go out to his family. You will be sorely missed, buddy.”
The Series X3 club in Bartholomew's home state of Queensland described him as a “larrikin with a heart of gold”.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden, unexpected and tragic passing of Cam Bartholomew, a member of our own racing family,” they wrote.
“He will be greatly missed. Vale Come! Series X3 Queensland sends its deepest sympathies to Glenn, Chris, Chloe and their families.”
