Nearly 100 race cars from six different categories will compete at Winton Motor Raceway in the fourth round of the Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships this weekend.

The Shannons Nationals celebrates its 60th round this weekend. CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s previous story.

Headlining the event is the Kumho Tyres Australian Touring Car Series, which boasts its largest-ever grid.

A total of 21 cars have entered for the round, surpassing the previous record mark of 20 runners at Wakefield Park and Phillip Island last year.

The most notable addition to the field to the Touring Car Series is 2010 V8 Touring Car champion Tony Evangelou, who makes his return in a Ford Performance Racing-built Falcon.

Evangelou won the Winton round the last time the series competed at Winton, though his been sidelined in 2012 due to a delay in engine component supply.

Queenslander Lyle Kearns will make his Kumho Series debut at Winton. Kearns’ Paul Morris Motorsport-built VY Commodore was formerly a Sirromet Wines Commodore driven by Paul Morris, Fabian Coulthard, Steve Ellery and Alan Gurr in the V8 Supercars Championship.

Sydney-based driver Jim Pollicina leads the series by 27-points over teenage sensation Josh Hunter coming into the round, with South Australian Michael Bartsch third and former champ Chris Smerdon, who won the last round at Mallala in South Australia, fourth.

The third round of the Australian GT Championship features a strong field of 20 cars, with some teams electing to enter two drivers. Those extra drivers includes the likes of two-time Bathurst 1000 winner John Bowe, V8 Supercars enduro star Cameron McConville and Formula 3 champion James Winslow.

Porsche GT3-R driver Klark Quinn leads the championship but will face stiff competition from the likes of Round 2 winner greg Crick (Dodge Viper) and the Erebus Racing duo of Peter Hackett and James Brock, driving their Mercedes.

In the Porsche Staff Solutions International GT3 Cup Challenge, it will be hard to pick a winner amongst the 17 car field. Victorian Kane Rose won the last round at Phillip Island and currently leads the title.

Porsche Centre Brighton driver Fraser Ross heads to the round with extra responsibilities, having become  an official ambassador for Make-A-Wish Australia.

“It was an opportunity that I graciously accepted,” said Fraser, who will treat some children to hot laps at Winton on Friday.

“I’m proud to be affiliated with one of Australia’s leading children’s charities who grant the cherished wishes of seriously ill children, particularly in light of the amazing opportunities I have had in my racing career.”

In the Dial Before You Dig Australian Saloon Car Series, Matt Lovell and Simon Tabinor stand head and shoulders above the pack, sitting almost 80 points clear of third placed Robert Lonie.

The Australian Commodore Cup has just six cars entered for its two driver Ashley Cooper Memorial Winton endurance race. Commodore Cup will have two 45 minute races, one each on Saturday and Sunday.

The Hi-Tec Oils Australian Swift Racing Series has an improved field of nine entries.

See below for the complete entry lists for this weekend’s Shannons Nationals at Winton.

Kumho Tyres Australian Touring Car Series

Australian GT Championship

Staff Solutions International GT3 Cup Challenge

Dial Before you Dig Australian Saloon Car Series

Australian Commodore Cup Series

Hi-Tec Oils Swift Australian Racing Series