The grid has been confirmed for the start of a new era in the Kumho V8 Touring Cars Series this weekend at Phillip Island.

Jude Bargwanna, Jim Pollicina and Ray Hislop headline the entry list bound to take to the track from Friday afternoon, with V8 fans to be treated to a good mix of youth and experience.

Bargwanna will make his V8 debut after having previously spent time in the S5000 series, as well as the Formula Ford Championship.

The third-generation driver under the Bargwanna family name makes the step into the series with ambitions of one day fulfilling his dream of becoming a Repco Supercars Championship driver.

“I am very excited, it’s cool to partner with Anderson Motorsport and get in a V8 supercar for the first time, it’s been a cool lead up to Phillip Island,” Bargwanna said.

“I have recently done Formula Ford and S5000s, so this is my first time in a V8 but I have gotten quite comfortable in the car during the lead up to next week.

“My career aspiration is to get into Supercars, and the more people you talk to they tell you to get on the V8 bandwagon as quickly as possible.”

The New South Welshman will challenge for the outright title alongside Notlaw Racing’s Jamie Tilley and Burson Auto Part’s Antonio Molluos who are also set to feature on the weekend.

Looking to finish atop the outright standings and claim the newly branded V8 Touring Car Cup, Pollicina looks forward to a competitive outing and racing side-by-side with some familiar faces.

“My intent is to go out there and focus on achieving an outright podium in every single race, but winning the privateers cup is of course an absolute priority at this stage,” Pollicina said.

“It is always good if you can do well in the outright, it always depends on circumstances in each race, but we are heading to Phillip Island to make up as many places as possible and get ourselves a result.

“I know Anderson Motorsports is building a car which will be very competitive, Ray Hislop will be there and Ray and I have raced very closely together in the past.”

MR HDT Race Cars will field both a Holden VE II Commodore and a Ford BF Falcon at the Island, with Jacob Khouri behind the wheel of the Ford while Blake Fardell will pilot the Holden.

Tickets for the opening round of the Kumho V8 Touring Cars Series season are still available via motorsporttickets.com.au.

For those who are unable to make the trip to Phillip Island, Stan Sport will provide live and uninterrupted coverage from most of Saturday and Sunday’s action, while 9Gem will also broadcast three hours of Saturday afternoon’s racing.

The new era of the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series kicks off at the Shannons SpeedSeries Phillip Island event on 12-14 May.