News Director 
Story By: TOM BOGGIE / ALBANY-SARATOGA SPEEDWAY – MALTA, NY – No one has felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic more than Peter Britten.
Because of travel restrictions, the popular modified driver known as “Batman” hasn’t been able to return to his native Australia to see his family in two years.
But on Friday night, Britten received a special message from home.
Wade Aunjer, an Australian motorsports media personality, is in the U.S. to attend the Knoxville Nationals sprint car race and to promote his new product, Methanol Moonshine, and made a side trip to Albany-Saratoga Speedway to present Britten with a special plaque honoring his “outstanding service to modified racing,” both in the United States and in his homeland.
During prerace ceremonies, Aunjer joked about Britten’s “Austramerican” accent and had Britten recite some basic Australian phrases, including “G’day, mate” and “vegamite.” Aunjer then encouraged Britten and the crowd to begin a chant of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Oy, oy, oy!”
“I love being here and I love racing and I love the opportunities I have, but I miss my family, and it’s tough, at times,” Britten said. “I didn’t expect this. I’m starting to tear up, really. I appreciate all the support from everybody here and at home.”
Track soloist Becca Sweet then sang the Australian national anthem, in addition to the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Britten won the modified championship at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in 2017 when he was driving for Andy Romano and has one win this season in the highly competitive Friday night field.
