Having finished third in the standings last season behind the wheel of the MoComm Motorsport Comms Holden Commodore VE, the New South Welshman has his sights set on winning the newly branded V8 Touring Car Cup, as well as competing for regular podiums each race.

“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.

“It is very difficult to tell how competitive it will be, but I’m looking forward to it.

Pollicina is no stranger to the world-famous circuit, having won there in the past and being one that holds valuable memories of previous honours.

“Phillip Island is one of the premier circuits in the country, and I have done plenty of laps there in the past.

“The last time we were there we won the Australian Manufacturers Championship in a Lotus during a six-hour race, so it is a track I am familiar with, and I am expecting a reasonable result.

The category is drawing lots of interest due to the star-studded lineup expected to take the grid this season, with a handful of future stars, experienced names and ex-supercar drivers all set to battle it out for top honours.

Although the entry lists for Phillip Island are still yet to be confirmed, the MoComm Motorsport driver knows what to expect.

“I know Anderson motorsports is building a car which will be very competitive, I think Ray Hislop will be there and Ray and I have raced very closely together in the past, so if that says anything I know that it will be super competitive.

2023 marks the re-commencement of that longstanding relationship as V8 Touring Cars returns to its original branding and joins the SpeedSeries schedule full-time this year.

Kumho has also re-established its relationship with the series as both a naming sponsor and tyre supplier, while the series itself has made a multitude of changes that has competitors more excited than ever.

“I think its refreshing the series has re-established itself to allow the blueprint cars to run, it was previously an outstanding category and when it obviously merged with another series during covid, it was a shame to lose the championship.

“But I am overjoyed it has been reestablished, and it’s going to be great to see the cars that have been sitting in the sheds finally back out on track.

“It will be good to see the numbers build again, it’s really refreshing this category has reemerged and I will be supporting it as much as I can.”

Tickets for the opening round of the 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.