Pole position priest who does not race on a Sunday

When he isn't in the pulpit of St Mary's Church at Upton Grey in Hampshire, Reverend Simon Butler can be found in the cockpit of his historic racing car.

For more than 30 years, Mr Butler has competed in major events around the world, including Le Mans.

"Maybe this is divine providence but all those races fall on Saturdays. So I can do Friday and Saturday at the racetrack and then get home and be ready for church on a Sunday morning", said Mr Butler.

"I party as hard in the village as I do at the racetrack because I think a life without parties is quite boring."

Mr Butler's racing car is a 62-year-old Lotus Elan.

"Behind the wheel is about the most peaceful place to be, because when you're racing the only thing you have to do is drive fast. All the other things you normally think about or worry about or have to deal with, they just go."

"You never look at a speedometer, you're just just foot to the floor and as fast as you can."

"I was fortunate enough to become the Ligier European Series Pro Am Champion in 2023, which was great. We got 8 out of 8 pole positions, so loads of opportunity to stand on the podium.

Mr Butler thinks the roles of vicar and racing driver can be complementary.

"One of the challenges clergy have is that the church can take everything you can possibly give to it. I think it's really important that we have something we do that goes beyond being the vicar."

"Ministry is all about people, it's all about relationships and the wider experience you can have of different worlds, the easier you find it to connect with people. You keep that sense of a broad view of humanity."