Holdsworth joins GRM, Rogers looks abroad.

by Matt Agius

With Dean Canto unable to drive for Garry Rogers Motorsport this weekend due to commitments in the HPDC V8 Supercar Series for Dick Johnson Racing, Garry Rogers has given Lee Holdsworth the opportunity to drive the #34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Commodore.

With free practice kicking off on Friday, Holdsworth is also set to compete in both the HPDC V8 Supercar Series and the main game alongside Garry Rogers Motorsport regular, Cameron McConville.

Rogers was willing to give Holdsworth an opportunity to drive a GRM Commodore in a sprint round, after his impressive performance in the 2005 endurance races.

"Lee did a very good job in atrocious conditions at Sandown and was in a strong position at Bathurst, even after a near miss when the bonnet of his car flew up when Phil Scifleet was at the wheel," said Rogers.

Regarding full-time drivers for the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series, Garry Rogers highlighted his desire to give a race seat to an up-and-coming driver, but also noted that it may be feasible to look for overseas drivers willing to pilot a Repco Valvoline Cummins Commodore next year.

"With the Commonwealth Games next year, our racing season will not commence until the end of March and we will be therefore reviewing all the drivers options that are available both in Australia and overseas.

"My preference is to give a younger Australian an opportunity to enter the championship, however I must also consider my commercial responsibilities to our sponsors and supporters who rightfully expect results immediately.

"V8 Supercar racing is a very expensive industry and the recent escalation in driver fees is making it increasingly difficult to devote the necessary financial resources to vehicle building and development, as well as competing with drivers salary demands."

It is expected that Dean Canto is in the running for a race seat with GRM for 2006, and the likes of Greg Ritter have been touted as a possible replacement for Cameron McConville, who is likely to join Super Cheap Auto Racing next year. McConville will complete his last round of V8 Supercars with Garry Rogers Motorsport this weekend at Phillip Island.