Second-gen Canto set for Radical racing debut

THE 17-year-old son of two-time Supercars Development Series Champion Dean Canto will make his racing debut this weekend, tackling Round 5 of First Focus Radical Cup Australia at the Shannons SpeedSeries GT Festival at The Bend.

In what will be his first ever race meeting, Dylan Canto will jump behind the wheel of a Radical SR3XX this weekend at his home circuit – and the home base of his Dad’s busy motorsport preparation and driver coaching business.

Currently completing year 12 at Unley High School in Adelaide’s inner Southern suburbs, Canto will have the benefit of Bathurst-winning experience in his ears this weekend with Luke Youlden to serve as his engineer and driver coach, while Canto works from Race Control.

Dean Canto has had a longstanding relationship with one-make Radical racing as the series’ driver standards chief, a role he will continue to perform this weekend.

“He’s (Dylan) a great kid and this is a bit of a reward for his efforts at school and in year 12,” Canto Snr said.

“It’s a bit of a baptism of fire but the Radicals are such a great, cost-effective way to have some fun, to compete and to learn the ropes.

“He’s not had a lot of experience at all – some karting and some time behind the wheel of my Subaru BRZ drive school car - but he had a massive test day in the Radical last week. He did 420km in a single day and we just put fuel in, checked the tyre pressures and sent it. He did a good job.”

Canto said the structures were in place to ensure he could continue his day job, while Dylan makes his racing debut at the same time.

“It will be a busy weekend but his Mum, my folks and Lukey (Youlden) will be there to manage him while I focus on my job as Radical’s Driving Standards Adviser.

“He’s under strict instructions for the weekend; it’s not the world championship, just enjoy it for what it is and take no risks.

“It’s exciting for him and it should be a great weekend. He’ll learn plenty in the long races and racing on the same track as some really high-quality guys and girls in the Radical field.”

Dylan Canto will drive a Radical SR3XX owned by Stephen Champion, a car with strong pedigree in the championship.

He’ll be the latest in a line of several young-gun drivers utilising First Focus Radical Cup Australia to make their racing debuts.

Teenager Alex Gardner burst onto the scene two years ago and claimed the championship for Volante Rosso, while two years of progress has seen West Aussie-based young gun Cooper Cutts in a position to claim his first national title this weekend in South Australia. Teammate, Ruari Avern made his debut this year, graduating from karting and state-level racing.  

The one-make Radical field will tackle a pair of 50-minute enduro races this weekend at The Bend, which doubles as a climactic season decider in the year-long battle between championship leader Cooper Cutts and defending winner, Peter Paddon.

Qualifying and both races will be shown live on 7plus this weekend.