F1, Supercars stars join Trofeo Lambo

TROFEO Motorsport has locked in their driving squad for the 2017 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, team owner Jim Manolios set to be joined by regular co-driver Ryan Millier, ex-Formula One driver Ivan Capelli and Supercars co-driving ace, Dean Canto.

Speedcafe.com confirmed the driving squad yesterday, Trofeo set to be the first to enter a Lamborghini Hurracan GT3 in Australia's around-the-clock enduro, with the latest Lambo model not previously eligible for the race until 2017.

Trofeo continues to expand it's operations in Australia as the official importer of the Hurracan model - three cars having already been purchased by the Melbourne-based outfit.

Capelli reunites with Trofeo after a year away from the team, having raced their Ferrari 458 with Manolios and Millier in 2015, and a Chevrolet Corvette GT3-R with Manolios and Bathurst hero Greg Murphy in 2013.

The Italian Formula 1 ace - a former Ferrari driver - was in Australia last week as part of the Adelaide Motorsport festival, lapping the Leyton House Formula 1 car he raced back in the 1980s.

Canto was supposed to make his Bathurst 12 Hour debut in 2014, sharing the Vicious Rumor Racing Ferrari 458 with car owner Tony Defelice, Renato Loberto and Tony D'Alberto. Unfortunately, the car was badly damaged in practice for the event and ultimately withdrawn prior to the start.

He then returned the following year with Erebus Motorsport, finishing fifth with Jack LeBrocq and Richard Muscat in one of the team's Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3 entries.

The experienced driver has finished on the podium in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and is currently Mark Winterbottom's endurance racing co-driver.