Former Champion Killed in Tragic Eastern Creek Crash
A tragic moment struck the motorsport world over the weekend during a race at Sydney Motorsport Park in Eastern Creek. A seasoned driver, 53-year-old Darren Barlow, sadly lost his life after a high-speed crash during a New South Wales state championship event on Saturday night.
Darren Barlow wasn’t just another name in racing—he was a respected competitor, a former Supersports Champion, and a lifelong contributor to the Sydney racing community. Known for his dedication and deep passion for motorsport, Darren had built a legacy both on and off the track. He worked in the medical field in Wollongong during the week, but whenever he could, he was racing, mentoring, or volunteering at motorsport events. He even served as the president of his racing club and was granted life membership in 2023 in recognition of his service.
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According to NSW Police, the crash occurred just after 8pm at the end of turn one, one of the fastest sections of the track. Darren’s Stohr WF1 reportedly left the race surface at high speed and rolled violently. Emergency services were on the scene quickly, and paramedics did all they could—but tragically, Darren died at the scene.
His death has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community. Motorsport Australia confirmed it had been notified of the incident and activated its critical incident plan, working closely with local police and the race venue. A formal investigation is now underway to determine exactly what went wrong, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
The remainder of the event was cancelled out of respect, and tributes have been flowing in from across the racing world. Fellow racer and RX8 Cup manager Ric Shaw was at the track that night and recalled standing up at the end of the race to go check in with Darren—only to realize moments later that he would never get the chance to speak to him again.
“Motorsport is dangerous,” Shaw said, “we all know that every time we put a helmet on. But we do it because we love it.”
Darren Barlow is being remembered not just for his achievements behind the wheel, but for the immense heart he brought to the sport. His loss is being deeply felt, not only by his team and family but by the entire racing community.
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