V8 Supercars endurance co-driver Tony D’Alberto will serve as expert commentator for the television coverage of the 2014 Kumho V8 Touring Car Series.

D’Alberto is without a full-time V8 Supercars drive this year for the first time since joining the Development Series part-way through the 2003 season.

Winning the second-tier class in 2007, D’Alberto then spent six seasons in the main championship before his family team closed its doors at the end of last year.

The 28-year-old will join host commentator Richard Craill to call the Kumho V8 action, which sees one-hour highlights broadcasts of each round shown on SBS and Speed TV.

Highlights of Mallala’s season opener will kick-off the year this Saturday on SBS’ long-running Speedweek program.

“There are a few rumours going around that Skaifey (Mark Skaife) is getting back in a car, so I’m just warming up the vocal chords, getting ready to take over his spot,” D’Alberto joked of his move into commentary.

D’Alberto is this year acting as a driver coach for South Australian youngster Josh Kean, who has graduated from the Kumho V8 Series into the Dunlop Series.

D’Alberto will then join Tim Slade and Walkinshaw Racing to drive in the Pirtek Enduro Cup, starting at Sandown in September.

With the three V8 Supercars events his only currently scheduled competitive outings for the year, D’Alberto admits he was particularly disappointed at the category’s decision to abandon co-driver practice sessions prior to the Sandown 500.

“I can’t see how it’s saving money in the long run,” he said.

“I understand why they don’t want to send co-drivers to Darwin and Townsville, but doing Winton, Sydney and Ipswich keeps the co-drivers sharp and gives them a bit of variety, rather than just seeing the one test track before Sandown.

“Because the calendar is so tight no one has tested yet, so most co-drivers won’t do anything until June.

“By taking the Friday sessions away they’re putting more pressure on the teams to get their co-drivers up to speed in a different way.”

Slade has the #47 Supercheap Holden 12th in the points standings after 13 races, qualifying on the front-row for the Pukekohe finale before suffering a clutch problem prior to the start.