Canto confirmed at GRM.

Garry Rogers Motorsport has confirmed that Dean Canto has inked a multi-year contract to drive the second Cummins Repco Valvoline Holden in the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series and beyond.

The new HPDC V8 Supercar development series champion will join the Melbourne-based team for next year's series, having completed two rounds with it towards the end of 2005, and is delighted to have landed his first full-time ride in the senior V8 Supercar series since 2003.

"Having a chance to drive in a couple of races with GRM this year was a great opportunity, and being able to join them on a full-time basis for 2006 is the best news I've had in a while," said Canto, who claimed his second 'junior' V8 title this season, "I was able to prove in the development series that I'm worthy of a seat in the main series. However, the level of racing has gone up unbelievably in the time since I last drove in the championship as a full-timer, and we will have to work hard to get some good results next year."

Team owner Rogers was obviously happy enough with what he saw of Canto in his two drives with the team - at Surfers Paradise and Symmons Plain - to sign him for next year in place of the departing Cameron McConville.

"He's clearly shown he's fast and skilful enough to be competitive," Rogers said, "Dean is a hard-working young bloke who will fit in well with GRM. He showed plenty of maturity in his two drives with us this year and adapts well."

Rogers also pointed out that the other drive in the team had still to be finalised for next year.

"The seat is still under review, but there's a number of drivers under consideration and we're working through our options," he said.