The Australian motorsport community is in mourning after the tragic passing of Aussie Racing Cars driver Shane Mann.

The 50-year-old had a medical episode in the support category paddock during the AirTouch 500 at The Bend Motorsport Park on Saturday.

Mann’s incident was unrelated to his car.

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Motorsport Australia issued a statement on Saturday confirming there had been “a critical medical incident” to a competitor who had died, but Mann wasn’t identified until Sunday.

The decision was made to cancel Race 2 in the aftermath, while the front row of the grid for Race 3 on Sunday morning was left vacant in Mann’s honour.

“We’re very sad to report we lost one of our great drivers in the field in Shane Mann,” Matt Naulty confirmed on the broadcast ahead of Race 3.

“All of the cars in the field this morning are carrying some tribute stickers.

“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 finished 12th in the opening race of the meeting on Friday, which is set to continue into Race 4 on Sunday morning.

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