Front-running Dunlop Series team Eggleston Motorsport will expand into the third-tier Kumho V8 Touring Car Series next season with a pair of ex-Walkinshaw Performance Holdens.

The Melbourne-based outfit has purchased the two VZ model Commodores campaigned by the HSV Dealer Team in the 2006 V8 Supercars Championship.

The ex-Garth Tander (HRT 051) and ex-Rick Kelly (HRT 052) cars had been restored to their drivers’ and teams’ title winning states by previous owners Action Racing and Tony D’Alberto Racing respectively.

The #15 car went on to win the 2007 Development Series title in the hands of D’Alberto before becoming David Reynolds’ first V8 Supercar the following year, while the #16 was last seen with Marcus Zukanovic at the wheel during the 2012 Kumho Series finale.

It is expected that EMS will race the cars in their period livery, adding further to the heritage feel of the Kumho class.

Team manager Rachael Wagg says that running cars in both the Dunlop and Kumho classes boosts EMS’ ability to foster young driving talent.

The Eggleston operation runs two Triple Eight built Commodore VEs in the Dunlop Series, with team driver Jack Perkins sitting fourth in points heading into next month’s final round despite missing the season opener.

Renowned breeding ground teams MW Motorsport and Sonic Motor Racing Services already field cars in both series.

“We’ve had overwhelming interest from drivers in our Development Series campaign this year so we have decided to expand the business into the increasingly popular Kumho Series,” said Wagg.

“The Development Series is incredibly competitive and, without prior V8 experience in the Kumho Series or similar, starting in the DVS has become difficult for drivers.

“We see our entry into the Kumho Series as creating our own development program for drivers to learn and refine their skills before they progress in V8 racing.

“The Kumho Series cars will also be a benefit to our DVS campaign, giving our drivers the opportunity for more seat time, while our Kumho drivers will also have the opportunity to sample the DVS cars.”

The latest purchases add to EMS’ already two-strong stable of Walkinshaw Holdens, having acquired the 2005 Bathurst 1000 winning HRT 050 chassis earlier this year and retained ownership of the team’s previous Dunlop Series steed, WR 002.

The final round of the 2013 Kumho V8 Touring Car Series will take place at Sandown this weekend with the Shannons Nationals.

The class recently confirmed its 2014 calendar and a new deal with title sponsor and tyre supplier Kumho.