Dean Canto sacked by GRM

from www.v8supercar.com.au wrote:GARRY ROGERS MOTORSPORT ANNOUNCES A CHANGE OF DRIVER FOR SEASON 2008. MICHAEL CARUSO WILL JOIN LEE HOLDSWORTH AT THE GRM TEAM COMMENCING AT ADELAIDE IN FEBRUARY.

A new year brings a new driver to the GRM team in 2008 with young-gun Michael Caruso, 24, set to join the long list of young hopefuls that have commenced their V8 Supercar careers at Garry Rogers Motorsport.

A large percentage of these young drivers have gone on to very successful careers in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

GRM is a team known to give up-and-coming drivers a chance and has been the foundation for many of today’s elite V8 Supercar competitors including Jason Bright, Garth Tander, Jason Bargwanna, Steven Richards, Greg Ritter, Steve Owen, Leanne Ferrier (now Tander) and Jamie Whincup who ‘cut their teeth’ with GRM, resulting in the team winning numerous races.

Current driver for car 33, Lee Holdsworth, is heading down the same path as these former GRM drivers. His very heady and skilful drive in the wet at the 2007 Oran Park Championship Round gave him a very well deserved round victory and helped to consolidate his position in the top 15 in the Championship for the 2007 season. “This was a very worthwhile result for only his second year in the series,” says Rogers.

This year, a new driver is set to race in the championship. Michael Caruso, who started his racing career in Karting at the age of 12 before progressing through Formula Fords and Formula Threes and winning the Championship in the latter, is finally behind the wheel of a V8 for the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

“It was time for a change and we like to give young people a chance,” says an enthusiastic Garry Rogers for whose team it is a tradition to take on fresh young faces.

Garry Rogers Motorsport has had numerous round wins over the years and a Bathurst 1000 victory in 2000.

In addition to these Championship wins and the Bathurst 1000 victory, the same group of GRM workers designed and built the amazing 427 Holden Monaros which went on to win the Bathurst 24 hour race two years in a row. The first victory was in 2002 with a single entry, and in 2003 GRM finished first and second with a team of Holden drivers including Garth Tander, Greg Murphy, Jason Bright, Todd Kelly, Steven Richards, Nathan Pretty, Cameron McConville and Peter Brock.

Born and bred in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Michael Caruso, who attended Cromer High School, was heavily involved in soccer until the opportunity for racing came around. “My father used to race Sports Sedans,” says Michael, “I watched him a lot when I was young before getting into Karting when I was 12. Dad was also a mechanic for the legendary Kevin Bartlett during his Formula 5000 days and later in the famous Chevrolet Camaro era.”

The news of a new driver comes at a time of further expansion for the Melbourne based team. Garry Rogers Motorsport has just completed a brand new Motorsport facility, “which has the capacity for further research and development programs that should assist the continual growth of the team,” says the owner of GRM.

Before deciding on Caruso, Garry Rogers explored the pool of potential drivers from both Australia and overseas, choosing Caruso “not just on his driving ability but also on his manner and commitment.”

Michael’s V8 Supercar experience has been quite successful despite the limited opportunities he has been given.

“His early days in Karting and Formula Three have given him a very good understanding of vehicle set up. During Michael’s Formula Three period, Kevin Bartlett, whose engineering and vehicle set up knowledge could be considered one of the best in Australia, assisted Caruso enormously. The knowledge he gained during this time, coupled with his personal commitment and mannerisms make me believe that he has the necessary substance to be successful and overcome any obstacles that may arise,” says Garry.

“V8 Supercar racing is one of the most competitive forms of motor racing in the world and to be successful you need both commitment and a thick hide,” said Rogers.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to it,” says Caruso with regards to his new position, “but I’m also anxious to just get in and drive the car.”

“We are all very excited,” says Garry. “It will be a great opportunity for both the team and Michael, and I believe he and Lee will make a great combination.”

Admin_Holden wrote:Ah so that's where you were A_F. Welcome back!
I may email Dean to ask where he will be. And now he has a lot more time on his sleeve, I can invite him to V8 SuperChat . It's a Ring Toss game, I might add!!!