Photo: Michael Caruso

Michael Caruso to replace Dean Canto

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Garry Rodgers Motorsport has announced their new driver for the 2008 season. Michael Caruso will join Lee Holdsworth at the GRM Team commencing at Adelaide for the Clipsal 500.
A new year brings a new driver to the GRM team in 2008 with young-gun Michael Caruso, 24, set to join the long list of young hopefuls that have commenced their V8 Supercar careers at Garry Rogers Motorsport.

GRM is a team known to give up-and-coming drivers a chance and has been the foundation for many of today’s elite V8 Supercar competitors including Jason Bright, Garth Tander, Jason Bargwanna, Steven Richards, Greg Ritter, Steve Owen, Leanne Ferrier (now Tander) and Jamie Whincup who ‘cut their teeth’ with GRM, resulting in the team winning numerous races.

This year, a new driver is set to race in the championship. Michael Caruso, who started his racing career in Karting at the age of 12 before progressing through Formula Fords and Formula Threes and winning the Championship in the latter, is finally behind the wheel of a V8 for the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

“It was time for a change and we like to give young people a chance,” says an enthusiastic Garry Rogers for whose team it is a tradition to take on fresh young faces.

The news of a new driver comes at a time of further expansion for the Melbourne based team. Garry Rogers Motorsport has just completed a brand new Motorsport facility, “which has the capacity for further research and development programs that should assist the continual growth of the team,” says the owner of GRM.

Before deciding on Caruso, Garry Rogers explored the pool of potential drivers from both Australia and overseas, choosing Caruso “not just on his driving ability but also on his manner and commitment.

”Michael’s V8 Supercar experience has been quite successful despite the limited opportunities he has been given.

“V8 Supercar racing is one of the most competitive forms of motor racing in the world and to be successful you need both commitment and a thick hide,” said Rogers.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to it,” says Caruso with regards to his new position, “but I’m also anxious to just get in and drive the car.”

“We are all very excited,” says Garry. “It will be a great opportunity for both the team and Michael, and I believe he and Lee will make a great combination.”