Dean Canto and former Formula 1 driver Ivan Capelli will combine to pilot Trofeo Motorsport’s Lamborghini Huracan at next year’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
The pair will join Australian GT regular Ryan Millier and team owner Jim Manolios as part of a four driver Pro-Am line up for the February 3-5 Mount Panorama endurance race.
Prodrive Supercars co-driver Canto returns to the 12 Hour after missing this year’s edition following a late change of plans from Vicious Rumour Racing.
Canto joins the squad with plenty of Bathurst experience including a fifth at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour while driving an Erebus Motorsport Mercedes.
The event will be the 36-year-old’s first in the latest specification Lamborghini Huracan having spent this season co-driving Yasser Shahin’s Gallardo REX in Australian GT.
“It is good to be with the same marque as I have been driving this year and great to be in something that is current spec,” Canto told Speedcafe.com.
“I haven’t really had a look at all the other combinations but Ryan (Millier) is quick and I don’t need to say too much about Ivan (Capelli).
“It is a good combination and Jim (Manolios) is still getting to grips with the car but he is getting his head around it.
“I think we will all settle in and do what we have to do.”
Capelli is a familiar face at Trofeo Motorsport after racing with the squad at the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2013 and 2015.
The 53-year-old Italian made 93 starts during his F1 career driving for Tyrell, AGS, March, Leyton House, Ferrari and Jordan.
Trofeo Motorsport boss Manolios believes he has put together a strong line-up despite declining Lamborghini’s offer of factory driver Marco Mapelli.
The Victorian squad has close ties with Lamborghini after inking a deal with the Italian manufacturer this year to become the official customer racing outfit in the region.
The deal has seen Trofeo order three Huracan GT3s with the second car, purchased by Australian GT regular Andrew MacPherson, set to arrive in Australia next month.
Manolios’ own car debuted at Sydney Motorsport Park in August but missed Australian GT’s New Zealand double-header after being damaged in a testing accident.
Now repaired, the car will be driven by Manolios and MacPherson at this weekend’s Island Magic meeting.
“Dean and I have known each other for years and he is terrific at Bathurst,” Manolios told Speedcafe.com.
“I’m really looking forward to it. Ryan (Millier) and Ivan (Capelli) have already proved themselves so we are in good shape.
“Lamborghini have offered us a factory driver in Marco Mapelli but at this point I don’t think we need him.
“Dean will be just as fast and their classifications are the same.”
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