Reverse grid races were a feature of the V8 Supercars Championship during the 2000s and one two decades ago in Perth is memorable for a wild finish as Dean Canto took his maiden victory.
The reverse grid format was a controversial feature during the 2000s after being introduced to spice up the racing when the Canberra street circuit debuted. Fast forward to 2006 and reverse grids were at plenty of venues including Wanneroo Raceway.
Canto had endured a tough career to this point having bounced between the main game and Development Series for seasons, but was reigning champion of the latter in 2006.
Snapped up by Garry Rogers Motorsport in 2006, Canto had struggled up to this point of the season and the team was in a lull during this period after being a title contender in 2000.
The last win for GRM was by Cameron McConville at Winton in a last lap pass similar to what was about to occur in Perth.
An unfortunate gearshift problem had placed the Holden Racing Team’s Todd Kelly on the front-row alongside pole-sitter Paul Radisich in the Team Kiwi Racing Commodore.
Canto was back in 10th ahead of Jamie Whincup in his first season at Triple Right Race Engineering.
Three of the four were to play a significant role in how the race panned out.
Making steady progress was Canto during the beginning of the 58 lap race as he climbed to fourth thanks in part to the demise of Kelly, with the same gearshift problems.
Strategy was either a short or long game as Canto’s GRM crew elected to pit on lap 17 and this set-up a successful run to victory.
Radisich remained in front from Whincup, Greg Murphy after he had charged from 18th and Canto.
The race was tipped on its head when Whincup went off the road to elevate the close pack of Radisich, Canto, Steven Richards and Murphy through.
It was a high pressure race for the final 10 laps, but the experienced Radisich was able to handle it well despite dealing with an engine problem.
It took until the final lap for the engine to cut out in a critical place when at the last corner, Radisich’s engine cut out and Canto tapped the Team Kiwi Racing Commodore into a spin.
A disappointed Radisich recovered to finished seventh.
It proved a memorable maiden victory for Canto and the first for GRM in some time.
“The guys did a fantastic job and the car was really consistent,” said Canto.
“I think a couple of guys were suffering from brakes, but ours were good the whole way through.
“I think Paul had gearbox problems. Just before Turn 4 there a couple of laps earlier, he missed a gear and I touched the rear of him, and went wide. Obviously on the last lap, I think he had another mis-shift or something and it wasn’t intentional. Unluckily, he was sent off onto the inside of the track.
“The Garry Rogers Motorsport team has done a great job and we’re really happy.”
Canto never won again for GRM and was dumped the next year, while he did become a valuable co-driver for the endurance events as he took victory alongside David Reynolds on the Gold Coast for Ford Performance Racing.