Canto wins HPDC V8 Supercar Series
Press Release
Dean Canto, the dominating driver of the 2005 HPDC V8 Supercar Series, has today won the title. This marks the second time that Canto has won the second tier V8 Supercar Series, making him the only driver, in the history of the competition, to do so.
In the seven event series, Canto qualified first on six occasions and won eleven of the eighteen races that make up the series, and was never outside of the top five.
Although it looked like Canto was a runaway winner, it was not as easy as it seems.
After winning the first round, Canto had won the first race of the second event but was then involved in an incident on the start line of the second race that put him out of two races and lost him128 points. From then on it was a game of catch up.
Since then, Canto has won seven races, was runner-up twice, was third on two occasions and fifth once.
Canto came into the final round 21 points ahead of his closest rival, but there were technically still half a dozen drivers that could clinch the championship win. Even after finishing second yesterday, there were still 96 points on offer in today's 19 lap race, making the title win an uncertainty until the waving of the chequered flag.
Canto led both races this weekend, but was overtaken late in each race to finish second on both occasions. Canto took second for the round, behind Adam Macrow, but did enough to win the championship.
In the end Canto won the championship from Warren Luff and Gary MacDonald, with Macrow securing fourth.
Canto is thrilled to have won the championship for Dick Johnson Racing and said that this title means more to him then his first, in 2000.
"Winning the title today is much more satisfying than 2000 because it's been so challenging," Canto said.
"After the incident at Wakefield Park we knew it was going to be tough to win. We just kept working as hard as we could hoping that those ahead of me would have at least one bad race and keep us in contention.
"Winning the championship has obviously been the focus for the year because I want to get into the main game. I've been strong and consistent, DJR has given me a fantastic car and we've all worked hard. We deserve this result."
Canto lists the Clipsal 500 as his most memorable moment of the year.
"Wakefield Park was memorable for all the wrong reasons, but Adelaide stands out as my favourite moment," Canto said.
"We won both races, broke the practice and race lap records, with all that extra car weight, and it was in front of the main game teams. It was a perfect weekend."
Canto led today's race through to the 17th lap, when Macrow passed him at Bigpond corner.
"I was obviously racing for the championship, so I had to be smart about how I raced," Canto said.
"Macrow was having a major wobble coming into the corner and I'm sure we would have connected had I not given him room.
"He (Macrow) had one wheel on the dirt, so I just gave him a little bit of room and he took the opportunity to pass.
"I didn't want to risk breaking my steering and retiring, so I let him through.
"I really wanted to finish off the season winning the race and the round, but there was too much at stake."
There was more good news for DJR when its other driver Grant Denyer secured 10th place in the championship by finishing 10th today.
Denyer was forced out on the first lap of yesterday's race and started today's second and final race at the rear of the grid. Denyer steadily moved through the field to finish high enough to secure enough points to stay in the championship top 10.
"Today has been a spectacular finish to a fantastic year," Grant Denyer said.
"To have passed half the field after yesterday's disaster was a great thrill.
"The team did a superhuman job to have my car fixed after the damage that was sustained.
"I'm stoked to have finished in the championship top ten. A top ten finish was the goal but our speed suggested we were good enough for a top five.
"We had two bad rounds, but we now know that we have the credentials and the experience to challenge for the title next year."
Denyer's highlight of the year was the podium result at Mallala and driving with Dean Canto at DJR.
"The Mallala DJR one-two result is the standout," Denyer said.
"Not only did I achieve the feat with a great driver (Canto) but I did it with a great mate.
"It was my first V8 podium and I was involved in some tough racing against some old foes.
"To do this racing for my childhood idol, Dick Johnson, just capped the event and my year off.".