A state funeral will be held in Melbourne for former Australian Grand Prix boss Ron Walker, who has died of cancer at the age of 78.
The millionaire Melbourne businessman, who was the Australian F1 Grand Prix Corporation chairman for 22 years before retiring in 2015, died on Tuesday.
Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr Walker's family had accepted a state funeral service.
"I've spoken to Ron Walker's wife, Barbara, and offered a State Funeral in recognition of Ron's massive contribution to Victoria. She has accepted," Mr Andrews said.
The premier said he would provide more details as plans were finalised.
"He was a giant of Victoria and indeed Australia, both in stature and in the contribution that he made over many years in business and public life in setting us up to be the major events and sporting capital of our nation," Mr Andrews told reporters earlier on Wednesday.
Victoria's Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said Mr Walker was a fierce advocate for the state.
"Ron Walker was the best premier Victoria never had," Mr Guy said.
Mr Walker wrestled the world-renowned race from Adelaide to Melbourne in 1993, played a role in the creation of Crown Casino and was briefly Melbourne's Lord Mayor in the 1970s.
The current head of Australia's Grand Prix Andrew Westacott said his former colleague had Formula One running through his veins.
"He loved Melbourne and the Grand Prix particularly and I just couldn't keep him away from it," Mr Westacott told 3AW on Wednesday.
Fellow Crown casino founder and business partner Lloyd Williams said the well-known developer and Melburnian was a great man.
"If you wanted to go to war, Ronald was the man to have on your side," Mr Williams said.
The successful businessman was also a stalwart of the Liberal party and was party treasurer for more than a decade.
Mr Walker personally underwrote the Liberal Party's debt at one stage, Victorian Liberal Party president Michael Kroger told ABC Radio.
"It wasn't known at the time but he basically kept the lights on for a number of years through his own personal sacrifice and guarantee."
Former Liberal prime minister John Howard said the Grand Prix head was a "great mate".
"He was incredibly generous and was with us in the good and the bad," Mr Howard told ABC.
