BTCC paddock mourns Dunlop stalwart

Figures within the British Touring Car Championship are mourning the death of Tony Leake, a long-standing member of Dunlop's support team, after he lost his battle with cancer.

The 68-year-old had worked with Dunlop for more than 30 years, even staying on as part of the tyre supplier's BTCC team after retiring from his full-time role back in 2007.

Leake, who had been Dunlop's BTCC co-ordinator and chief technician before returning as an engineer after his retirement, had been battling cancer for a number of years but passed away on 26 February.

He is survived by wife, Jenny.

"This is a tragic loss to Dunlop and the racing world," Dunlop general manager Jean-Felix Bazelin said. "Tony's passion was such, that when he retired from the company in 2007, his love of the sport was so much a part of his life that he asked to remain as part of the BTCC team as a freelance engineer.

"He was to be a key part of Dunlop's 2013 BTCC team and will be sorely missed."

The thoughts of all at Crash.net are with Tony's family, colleagues and friends.