- Aussie Racing Cars driver Shane Mann passes away
The Australian motorsport community has been rocked by the sudden death of Aussie Racing Cars driver Shane Mann.
The 50-year-old Aussie Racing Car Series competitor suffered a medical episode during the AirTouch 500 while at The Bend Motorsport Park on Saturday.
Mann, whose medical incident was unrelated to his car, is survived by his wife Kelly and children Matilda and Alec.
The category’s second race was cancelled following the emergency and the front row of the grid for Sunday’s Race 3 was left vacant to honour Mann.
‘We’re very sad to report we lost one of our great drivers in the field in Shane Mann,’ said announcer Matt Naulty ahead of Race 3.
‘All of the cars in the field this morning are carrying some tribute stickers.
The Australian motorsport community has been shaken by the death of driver Shane Mann (pictured)
The 50-year-old Aussie Racing Car Series competitor suffered a medical episode during the AirTouch 500
Tributes have been flooding in for Mann from the racing community
‘There will be a tribute for race number four later on today, a parade lap and the front row will be left still.
‘Our thoughts are with the Mann family. A very, very sad day here not just for the category but for our little, tight family that is motorsport.’
Mann had performed well on Friday, finishing 12th.
Aussie Racing Cars posted a heartfelt tribute to Mann on their social media pages, noting that ‘Shane wasn’t just a competitor, he was a husband, father, friend and smiling face’.
‘His passion and presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him,’ read the statement.
Velocity magazine also posted a tribute to Mann.
‘This hits hard for all the families and friends involved and also to our own Darin Mandy who was the category photographer for 15 years,’ Velocity Magazine posted online.
‘All of us from Velocity Magazine pass on our thoughts and condolences to the Mann family and the whole ARC family.
‘Race-in-peace Shane.’
