Six-time Sports Sedan champion Kerry Baily will make a return to the category at this weekend’s Shannons Nationals round at Queensland Raceway.

The Gold Coast-based driver is set to pilot his iconic Chevrolet powered Aston Martin DBR9 having been absent from the series for 12 months due to business commitments.

Baily provides added firepower to the grid which has been dominated by multiple series winner Tony Ricciardello and the Holden Racing Team Supercars co-driver Jack Perkins.

The series veteran won titles in 1992, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2012, the last of which was achieved with the Aston.

“I’m really looking forward to it as I haven’t been there for 12 months,” Baily told Speedcafe.com.

“I’ve missed it dearly but situations have been such that I haven’t been able to compete.

“I think I will be up against it as the rest of the drivers have been driving regularly and they have had three meetings on the new Hankook tyres.

“I love driving this car and we just want to get back on the pace again but it is very difficult just turning up once a year. It is not getting any easier.”

Baily is hoping to run at Phillip Island later this year although he stresses this weekend’s meeting is a one-off at this stage.

His return this weekend completes a 15 strong Sports Sedans grid.

Alfa driver Ricciardello leads the standings by 86 points over Stuart Inwood, while Perkins is four points further back in third after suffering reliability issues with the John Gourlay-owned Audi.

The Sports Sedans joins a bumper Shannons Nationals line up including the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Australian Production Car Series, Australian Formula 3 Premier Series, Australian Formula Ford Series, Australian GT Trophy and Sports Racers.