The prominent businessman’s youngest son Robert confirmed to 7 News Saturday morning that his father died last night surrounded by family.

Jane’s children Courtney, Charlotte and Robert Jane said in a statement their father Robert Frederick Jane lost his “brave fight with prostate cancer”.

View photos Former Australian race car driver and tyre magnate Bob Jane has died, aged 88. Source: AAP More

While Jane was a four-time winner of the Armstrong 500, the race that became the prestigious Bathurst 1000, he was perhaps more commonly known as the founder of one of the country’s most iconic brands – his chain of tyre retailers, Bob Jane T-Marts.

“It was our privilege to have had him as our dad, whom we loved and cherished. We will miss him deeply and he will forever be in our hearts,” Jane’s family shared.

“Whilst dad was an Australian icon and champion of the community, most importantly to us he was our loving dad.”

View photos Bob Jane (centre) celebrates the launch of the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 in August 2002 with his 1963 and 1964 winning co-drivers Harry Firth and George Reynolds. Source: AAP More

The four-time Australian Touring Car Champion was inducted into the V8 Supercars Hall of Fame in 2000.

In 1965 he opened the first Bob Jane T-Marts store in Melbourne before expanding the tyre chain nationwide. His son Rodney took over as CEO after the pair fell out.

Australian touring-car great Bob Jane has passed away aged 88. Jane won the Australian Touring Car Championship four times and the Armstrong 500, which became the Bathurst 1000, four times. Our condolences to his friends and family. #VASC #Bathurst1000 pic.twitter.com/dfks4PMmeY — Supercar Xtra Magazine (@SupercarXtra) September 29, 2018





In their statement, his family asked for privacy “at this devastating time”.