THE popular Ford Falcon XB GT Hardtop will make a long-awaited racing return next week in the hands of Keith Kassulke.
The Papua New Guinea-based racer has entered the Jim Morton-built car in the upcoming Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters round at Sandown across September 16-18.
The Ford debuted in 2011 with Glenn Seton behind the wheel at Sydney Motorsport Park and later that year won the Bathurst round.
MORE: Ford’s Falcon celebrated in new book
Kassulke purchased the car ahead of the 2012 season and drove it to victory the following season at Phillip Island.
The Falcon last raced at Queensland Raceway in 2015, when it was heavily damaged in a crash, and will only now make its comeback.
“It’s going to be great,” said Kassulke, 70.
“I’m looking forward to being at Sandown again and am aware that it may well be the last time I get to race there – but I hope not.
“It’s a fantastic circuit and I’m sure the XB will be a popular addition to the category given they have been absent from the grid for some years.
“It was always fast at Sandown so we will see how it goes against the newly built TCM cars.”
Kassulke is a regular competitor in the annual Bathurst 12 Hour.
All four TCM races at Sandown will be broadcast live and ad-free via Stan Sport, with 9Gem also showing the first points-paying race of the weekend live.
