CANTO GETS COOLDRIVE

Dean Canto gets Cooldrive – Photo: Supplied

Team CoolDrive has announced that Dean Canto will join Team CoolDrive’s Macauley Jones for this years’ Pirtek Endurance Cup.

After a long association with the Tickford Racing squad, Canto makes the switch over Brad Jones Racing prepared entry for 2019 enduro’s commencing with the Bathurst 1000.

Canto is a two-time Super2 Series champion from the early days of his touring car career, having won the inaugural championship in 2000 (then known as the Konica V8 Lites) and again in 2005. He has since contested 93 Supercar Championship events, claiming 2 race wins along the way.

No stranger to the endurance events, Canto made his Bathurst debut in 1999 and has competed in the great race every year since. This years’ appearance in Team CoolDrive colours will be his 21st time around the historic mountain. He has 6 top-ten finishes at Mount Panorama, with a best finish of 2nd in 2012 with David Reynolds.

Canto had his first drive of the Team CoolDrive Supercar in a rain-affected additional drivers’ session at Winton Motor Raceway last month and is looking forward to getting more seat time as the Pirtek Endurance Cup approaches.

“I got a phone call prior to Winton asking me if I would drive the Team CoolDrive Supercar in the additional driver session; knowing it was an opportunity for the team to assess the possibility of me driving with Macauley for the endurance events.” said Canto

“In my short time with the team that weekend I was taken back by how much they listened to my comments and how keen the crew were. I said to Brad Jones and Tim Blanchard early on that working with them would be a privilege and hopefully, they get value out of my years of experience.”

“I have been where Macca is so I know too well the mental challenges this job can place on a driver. I am more than happy to give him any help along the way as his Supercar career takes off.”

“When I think about the team and the enduros; several times they’ve had me thinking ‘how did they get that lap back’ or ‘that was a smart move’. It’s not just about having the fastest car but having good strategy, and Team CoolDrive/BJR have always executed that well as a group.”

In his first time heading to the mountain as the lead driver, Jones is looking forward to working with Canto and gaining some new insights and knowledge from his vast experience behind the wheel.

“I’m excited to have Dean join me in the Team CoolDrive Supercar for the Pirtek Endurance Cup this year. Dean has achieved some great results over the years, establishing himself as one of the reliable, good guys in pit lane. Having a 20+ year career in the sport undoubtedly proves that point.” said Jones.

“I’m looking forward to tapping into Dean’s wealth of knowledge and seeing what we can achieve in the Pirtek Endurance Cup.”

Dean will be behind the wheel of the Team CoolDrive Supercar at the additional drivers session at Tailem Bend, followed by Team CoolDrive corporate drive days and test days in the lead up to the Pirtek Endurance Cup.

This announcement confirms the BJR co-driver lineup for 2019, as Ash Walsh continues with Tim Slade in the Freightliner Racing Supercar and Tim Blanchard is set to drive with Nick Percat.

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