Cash For Seat Claim
The Sunday Age
Sunday April 13, 2008
AS AUSTRALIA'S top drivers prepare to tackle the new street circuit in Hamilton for their first overseas race of the season next weekend, a former V8 Supercar race winner has rekindled the question - does cash or talent get drivers a race seat?
Dean Canto, who was dumped at the end of last season by the Melbourne-based Garry Rogers Motorsport team, told the V8 Supercars Australia website this week that "pay drivers" - who bring sponsorship to teams - get contracts ahead of those with talent.Other well-known drivers out of a race seat this season include Steve Owen, who ran prominently at Bathurst last year, Jason Bargwanna, a multiple V8 round winner and triumphant at Bathurst in 2000 in a GRM Commodore, and Max Wilson, the Brazilian ex-formula one tester. Canto said: "There are probably about 10 or so drivers in the main series who are bringing money and that makes it tough for guys like Steve Owen and myself. The most we can do is turn out the best lap times we can achieve in the development series." Rogers was quick to respond."I've always had the belief that I would much sooner have a driver who can drive . . . because if your results are good enough you will attract the sponsorship," he said. "With due respect to Dean, the reason Dean was chopped was because I just got sick and tired of the crashing and the non-finishing . . . he wasn't up to it."
© 2008 The Sunday Age
