The Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton has said he is devastated by the death of a former mayor who was killed while volunteering as a marshal at Brands Hatch.
Robert Foote, 67, was hit by a car that came off the track at the former Grand Prix circuit in Kent during a British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) event.
Mr Foote, a councillor in Epsom and Ewell, Surrey, died from injuries sustained in the crash, which happened shortly before 3pm on Saturday. Another person on foot and the driver of the car were taken to hospital.
Hamilton, who drives for the Mercedes F1 team, wrote in an Instagram post: “These volunteer marshals are what makes racing possible, they are heroes. My heart is with his family.”
Mr Foote had represented the ward of Cuddington since 2003 and served as mayor in 2014-15. During his time as mayor, he and his wife Rosemary launched the Epsom Buses Silver Service.
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He also worked as an engineer in the aircraft industry and as a motor vehicle technician. It is understood that his wife died of cancer in December, aged 70.
In a post on the Epsom Coaches Facebook group, Steve Whiteaway wrote: “It is with deep sorrow I inform you that our friend Rob Foote has been killed at Brands Hatch, while serving as a volunteer marshal at the famous motor racing circuit.
“Rob was perhaps best known to us as one of Epsom Coaches’ highly valued part-time drivers. Rob’s talents and kindness spread very wide and it was typical of him to be giving his time so freely to motorsport.”
BARC cancelled the rest of Saturday’s racing before the event resumed on Sunday. It confirmed it was working with Motorsport UK to investigate the incident.
A spokesman said: “On behalf of everyone connected with the BARC, we are devastated by the loss of one of the amazing volunteer marshal community who do so much to enable the sport to take place.
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“Our thoughts and best wishes are with the family and friends of all those involved.”
A JustGiving page to raise money for Mr Foote’s loved ones has so far raised more than £15,000.
Kent Police officers attended the scene and carried out inquiries but found no suspicious circumstances. The force is working with motorsport authorities to compile a report.
It’s the second crash at Brands Hatch in the past fortnight. On July 24 the motorcyclist Brad Jones suffered injuries to his head, chest and pelvis and was placed in a coma after a crash at the British Superbike Championship. The 23-year-old rider was being treated at King’s College Hospital, London.
