Tues 10th October 2023.
Today I'm thrilled to honour a local hero who's made it big on the international stage—Barton Mawer of Picton. Barton recently clinched his fourth World Time Attack Challenge title and shattered an outright lap record previously held by F1 racer Nico Hulkenberg. Piloting the RP968 Porsche, he bested the previous record by a staggering 1.5 seconds—a lifetime in the world of motorsports. Barton's dedication to the sport spans over 30 years. From go-karting on his family's farm to competing in high-profile series globally, his journey has been nothing short of spectacular. His influence doesn't stop at the racetrack; he's also nurturing the next generation, including his son Felix, through driver-coaching programs and sharing valuable engineering knowledge. As if setting the record wasn't enough, Barton celebrated his win with a leap from his car's roof, landing him with a broken heel. But in typical Barton fashion, he took it in stride, reminding us all of the highs and lows of sport. So let's give it up for Barton Mawer, not just for his incredible win, but for being an exemplary role model in our community.