The Australian motorsport community is in mourning following the tragic death of much-loved racer and club president Darren Barlow, who was killed in a high-speed crash at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday night.
Barlow, 53, from Wollongong, was competing in his Stohr WF1 when he lost control at the end of Turn One, one of the fastest points on the track. The vehicle left the circuit and rolled. Emergency services responded quickly, but paramedics were unable to save him.
“The vehicle did crash at the end of turn one, travelling at a particularly high speed, and left the race track and rolled,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner David Driver confirmed.
A respected figure in the local racing scene, Barlow was known not just for his skill behind the wheel but for his deep passion for the sport and tireless contributions off-track. The former Supersports Champion was a fixture in Sydney’s motorsport community, recently recognised with a life membership for his years of service and dedication.
“Motorsport’s dangerous, we all know that,” said Ric Shaw, manager of the RX8 Cup and a long-time friend. “But we all take the risk because we love it… At the end of that race I stood up and said to my wife, ‘I’m going to see Darren and see how he went.’ Unfortunately, I couldn’t see him. I couldn’t speak to him again.”
Barlow worked for a medical company by day, but racing was his lifelong passion. As president of his motorsport club, he mentored countless drivers and helped shape the tight-knit racing community in New South Wales.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, with officials and loved ones alike searching for answers in the wake of the devastating loss.
“He wore his passion for motorsport on his sleeve,” said one club member. “He wasn’t just a racer – he was the heartbeat of our paddock.”
Barlow is being remembered as a fiercely dedicated driver, a generous mentor and a true gentleman of the sport. His absence will be deeply felt across pit lanes and paddocks around the country.
Images: 9 News
