Australia’s fastest racers, Formula 3 will be one of six classes in action at the fast and flowing Victorian circuit in Round Three of the Shannons Nationals. In May 2007, Tander created international motor racing history at Phillip Island, becoming the first female to win a Formula 3 race, going on to finish second in the Australian Championship. Tander finished second in the title race again in 2008 and has moved from driver to TanderSport team manager this year, but will compete in the V8 Supercar endurance races with Wilson Security Racing. In a one-off Formula 3 return, Tander will be re-united with the 2004-model Dallara she drove in 2007 and, while running in the National Class for older model cars, will be a dark horse.

“Phillip Island was very good to me during my Formula 3 career,” Tander said.

“I had a lot of success there including my first F3 race win, so I’m very excited to be going back.

“The track is perfect for F3 cars, it is fast, challenging and always produces good racing.

“It will be interesting to drive the 2004-model car against the newer cars, in the past have always been in the latest, outright cars and fighting for a championship.

“Instead, we’ll be out there for different reasons, namely to keep my driving sharp, but it should be great fun and I’m looking forward to giving the guys in the newer cars a hurry up!”

English sensation Joey Foster leads the championship after two rounds, looking to emulate countrymen Ben Clucas and James Winslow, who won the crown in 2006 and 2008 respectively.

Foster was earmarked as one of Britain’s rising motorsport stars and led the German Formula 3 Championship before breaking his back in a high-speed crash.

After making his comeback in sports cars, Foster has been dominant on debut down under, winning three of the four races.

In an ominous sign for Foster’s rivals, English drivers have won seven of the last 12 Australian Formula 3 races at Phillip Island.

“It’s been a great start to the year,” Foster said.

“I’m really looking forward to Phillip Island, I’ve heard a lot about the circuit; it’s fast and flowing, like the European tracks I’ve grown up racing on.

“Team BRM has a great record at Phillip Island, hopefully we can add to that next weekend and maintain our championship momentum.”

Foster leads the race for the prestigious CAMS Gold Star, ahead of Mat Sofi, Ben Crighton and 2007 champion Tim Macrow.

While they’re battling it out at Phillip Island, a pair of past Gold Star champs will be preparing for the world’s biggest race.

Scott Dixon (1998) and Will Power (2002) both took out the Gold Star in their formative years and will line up for the famed Indianapolis 500 on 24 May.

The Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship will be joined by the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Commodore Cup, Kumho Saloon Cars, Australian GT Championship and a Porsche Club Regularity at Phillip Island, with around 150 competitors expected.

On-track action starts at 9am on Saturday 16 May, with two races on Saturday afternoon before a full program of racing from 9am on Sunday.

Tickets for the big weekend of racing are just $20 on Saturday and $25 on Sunday, while a weekend pass is available for $30 and kids under 16 are free.