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Australia
Breaking news

Supercars team owner loses cancer battle

Super Black Racing team owner Tony Lentino passed away today after a 15-month battle with cancer.

Super Black Racing

Super Black Racing

Super Black Racing

Rusty French and Tony Lentino
Chris Pither, Super Black Racing Ford
Chris Pither, Super Black Racing Ford
Andre Heimgartner, Super Black Racing Ford
Andre Heimgartner, Super Black Racing Ford
Andre Heimgartner, Super Black Racing Ford
Andre Heimgartner and Ant Pedersen, Super Black Racing Ford
Ant Pedersen and Andre Heimgartner

According to a statement from the team Lentino, 42, passed away peacefully at his home in Wellsford, New Zealand.

The Kiwi’s Supercars journey began back in 2014 when he fielded an all-New Zealand Wildcard entry at the Bathurst 1000 for Andre Heimgartner and Ant Pedersen. That turned into a full-time entry for Heimgartner in 2015, before Chris Pither took over the seat for the 2016 season.

Super Black celebrated its first Supercars pole position at Queensland Raceway on Saturday, Pither backing it up with a P11 in the race, before finishing eighth on Sunday.

“It is with great sadness we confirm the passing of our owner and founder, Tony Lentino,” said the team’s operations manager Greg Hahn.

“Tony had a dream and took us all on the journey with him. He always wanted for a pole and a Top 10 finish and this weekend he got to see it. He will be deeply missed by the team.

“He passed away surrounded by his family at his beloved home of Wellsford north of Auckland following a relatively short but spirited battle with cancer which he fought with all the energy he poured into everything he did.

“Tony was passionate about lots of things in life and while he toughed it out when he was young to establish himself as a very successful businessman, he never forgot where he came from and giving young people a chance, especially Kiwis, was central to the creation of the Super Black Racing team.

“Tony loved nothing more than taking it to the Aussies and having a Supercars team was a great way to mix his passion for his country with his love of motorsport.

“We will race on in memory of Tony but for now our thoughts and support are fully with the young family he so sadly leaves behind.”

Lentino is survived by his wife Emily and two daughters Izabella and Sofia. 

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