It has been a busy 24 hours for V8 stalwart Warren Luff, who followed the announcement of his Development Series ride with newcomers Decina Racing by signing a deal to race for back-to-back Supercar champions Stone Brothers Racing for next year's endurance events.

SBR announced the deal today [Wednesday], confirming that the 2004 rookie of the year would co-drive for either Marcos Ambrose or Russell Ingall at next year's Betta Electrical Sandown 500 in Melbourne and the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama. Luff spent the 2004 season with Dick Johnson Racing, but has already announced that he will pilot Decina Racing's Ford in next year's V8 Supercar Development Series, under the watchful eye of team manager Paul Cruickshank.

“Warren showed a lot of maturity in so many areas this season and, when we knew he was on the market, we were very keen to talk with him,” SBR boss Ross Stone revealed, “He showed consistent speed in the DJR car this year and really earned his rookie of the year award. Now, we are looking forward to watching him develop with Paul Cruickshank at Decina Racing next season, and then having him on board at SBR for Sandown and Bathurst."

Luff admitted that he was delighted to have been offered the opportunity to join the reigning champions at this stage of his career.

“There is no doubt that SBR is the new benchmark in V8 Supercar racing, and I am thrilled to be in a position to develop a relationship with Ross and Jimmy Stone and everyone at the team,” he said, “You do not finish 1-2 in this championship unless you are focused on the job, and the SBR operation is as professional as they come."

Luff, who broke his ties with DJR last week, admitted that he didn't mind which of SBR's regular drivers he was paired with.

“Whether I am driving with Marcos or Russell, I know I am going to be with one of the two best drivers in the country - and that's not a bad situation to be in,” he smiled.

SBR has confirmed that the last part of its endurance jigsaw should be revealed in the early part of the New Year.

“It is becoming more and more important to get your endurance drivers together early and, hopefully, we can be in a position to announce our fourth and final driver in the next few weeks,” Stone said.