James Brock will return to V8 Supercars for the next round of the Fujitsu V8 Series at Townsville.

Brock, the stepson of nine-time Bathurst winner Peter Brock, has not raced a V8 Supercar since the 2001 Bathurst 1000, but will return at Townsville, and is also likely to race in the Development Series at Mount Panorama in October.

Brock will drive the Commodore VE which Jason Richards steered to victory in Race 2 of the opening Fujitsu Series round at Clipsal. The car will feature support from Drillpro, as well as Brock’s personal backers.

“James is very pleased to have the opportunity to drive in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series,” GMR managing director Kevin Murphy said.

“While James has not raced in a V8 Supercar for quite some time, the experience he has gained in other categories should be useful as he reacquaints himself with the driving characteristics of a V8 Supercar. We’re looking forward to working with him.”

Brock says that he is not expecting too much from his return to the class.

“I’m looking forward to racing a V8 Supercar again,” James Brock said.

“I don’t really have any expectations in terms of results, but it should be very exciting and fun.

“It’s a good opportunity to get back behind the wheel and experience a current generation car and keep my knowledge current. Over the last few years, I’ve been concentrating on car preparation, so I think this opportunity will help me sharpen my driving skills with current equipment.”

Brock will join GMR’s regular Fujitsu Series drivers Geoff Emery (AC Delco VE Commodore), Daniel Jilesen (R & J Batteries VE Commodore), and Tony Bates, who will return to his SportsAlive.com VE Commodore after missing the previous round of the series at Barbagallo due to injury.

Brock will test with the Greg Murphy Racing team at Winton on June 21, ahead of the Townsville event on July 8-10.