Australia's newest V8 Supercar team, Decina Racing, was officially launched on the Gold Coast today and 2004 Rookie of the Year, Warren Luff has been named as the lead driver.

The two-car team will be operated by Paul Cruickshank Racing and fields Luff in the V8 Supercar development championship, formerly known as the Konica Minolta Series.

Luff, who was named 2004 Rookie of the Year at last Friday night's series gala dinner after an impressive debut season with Dick Johnson Racing, will also drive for Stone Brothers Racing at the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 in Melbourne in September and the Bathurst 1000 in October.

The new team is a hybrid of PCR and Jim Morton's Speed FX team which campaigned an ex-Mark Winterbottom Falcon in this year's Konica Minolta Series for Greg Ritter with some success.

Joining Luff will be Melbourne youngster Marcus Zukanovic, who will head into his second season in the development series with PCR.

“It makes sense for us to combine with Paul who has level one standard facilities and a very experienced crew”, said Morton. “We both enjoy a strong relationship and unfortunately there is very little V8 Supercar infrastructure in Sydney.

“There is no doubt that Warren will be a terrific asset for us and that Marcus will continue to grow with us in and out of the car.”

Paul Cruickshank Racing has made plenty of impressions since its establishment at the beginning of 2003. The team will not only campaign the two AU Falcons in the development series, but also a couple of cars in the 2005 Porsche Carrera Cup.

Team owner Paul Cruickshank was delighted to come to an agreement with Speed FX and Luff. “The signing of Warren Luff for our team in the Development Series is a major coup for all concerned,” said Cruickshank.