A BASINGSTOKE vicar, who is the only ordained priest to compete at international level racing tournaments, is one step close to achieving his dream of racing at Le Mans.

Rev Simon Butler, who has been the vicar of St Mary’s Church in Upton Grey for six years, will set off on the 'road to the 24 Hours of Le Mans' when he contests the latter half of the 2022 Michelin Le Mans Cup with former European Champion racing team RLR MSport.

The 42-year-old priest has been racing for the last 27 years after growing up in Oakley as a big fan of motorsports.

“From a very young age I really loved cars and enjoyed racing and always wanted to try motorsport,” said Simon, a husband and a dad of three daughters.

“I remember watching grand prix on television when I was very young, and I knew it was something I would like to do. I started in single-seater karting. But, for the last 10 years or so, I have been racing historic cars – mainly sports cars from the 1950s and 60s.

“For this season I came back into something a bit more modern.”

Simon is joining RLR MSport's LMP3 roster for the final three rounds of the Le Mans Cup at Monza, Spa-Francorchamps and Portimao, which will run in tandem with the European Le Mans Series (ELMS).

The series is highly competitive with many professional drivers competing alongside experienced amateurs in racing prototypes.

“The LMP3 machinery that I will race in 2022 is one step below the cars which race at the world famous Le Mans 24hours and will give the chance to build up to participation in the 2023 Le Mans race.

“Competing at Le Mans has been a goal of mine for several years and I’m delighted that there is now a path-way to fulfil the dream. I will be the first ordained vicar to take on the Le Mans 24hours, and with the backing of an exceptional team I am hopeful that we can have a competitive package in the LMP2 class.”

So far in his motorsport career, he has won the 2014 RAC Woodcote Trophy and achieved two top-5 finishes in Formula Ford Festival and a lot of podium finishes in historic sports cars.

For Simon, being a vicar and a racing driver are not incompatible or unusual. He said they are just part of who he is.

“I don’t compartmentalise [my two passions],” Simon said.

“I’m a vicar and I’m a racing driver. They are expression of who I’m. It doesn’t mean I’m not a vicar when I’m racing. I’m always a vicar whether I’m in the church or when I’m at the racetracks. I don’t try to switch off being a vicar, in the same way I don’t try to switch off being a Christian.”

Simon said he first sensed the call to be a vicar in his mid-teens, although he tried to ignore it for years.

It wasn’t until he was in his early 20s when he really started to think seriously about committing himself to God.

“By that time, I had done some theological degree.

“Eventually I ordained when I was 25. I had carried on racing all those years. Racing has always been part and parcel of my adult life.

“Most people find it quite interesting and intriguing because it is unusual. There are not many clergy who are into racing. As far as I’m aware, I’m the only ordained person racing at an international level. I think people see this as an interesting part of life.”

Simon formalised a brand name ‘Racing Reverend’ around two years ago as he wanted to create a personal brand.

“Im grateful for the backing I have from a number of local businesses including Basingstoke-based Asset Advantage and The Escape marketing agency.

To follow Simon’s racing journey, follow him on Twitter at @racing_reverend and on his website at racingreverend.co.uk

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