Tander will contest the entire 2010 Touring Car Masters Series in a 1973 Ford Falcon Phase IV XA GT, believed to be the first of its kind to race anywhere in the world.
Built and due for release in 1973, the Phase IV Falcon was touted to be Ford’s next great race machine, but instead, like several key performance models of the time, fell victim to the highly political supercar scare and production was stopped.

Amid growing speculation of what may have been, the Phase IV rose into legend status in Australian motoring history.

Fast forward 37 years and race fans will finally get the chance to see the Falcon Phase IV GT in full flight when it debuts at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500.

Guaranteed to generate immense excitement, Tander’s Wilson Security Racing/Team McGrath entry will also be the first XA Falcon to join the Touring Car Masters field.

Owned by Phil Morris and co-built by Mark Moore with bodywork by co-competitor Richard Fairlam, the ‘all-new’ Phase IV Falcon has undergone an extensive eight-month race preparation, impressively ready in time for Tander’s series debut at the opening round.

Tander, who is a two-time Formula 3 series runner-up and the first female in the world to win a Formula 3 race, is no stranger to the brawn and bulk of touring cars having successfully campaigned V8 Supercars in both the V8 Development series and main game V8 Supercar endurance events.

Despite being significantly younger than the legendary Falcon, Tander is extremely excited to heading into the 2010 season and is looking forward to the challenge of adapting to a new race car and a new racing category.

Tander’s first official appearance in the WSR Falcon Phase IV XA GT will be in testing at Winton Raceway (VIC) this Friday, ahead of round one of the Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide (SA) on 11-14 March.

LEANNE TANDER:

“I’m pretty excited to finally I’m confirm racing - I wasn’t sure would be racing anything this season.

“I’m thrilled to be racing in the in the Touring Car Masters. It’s one of the more exciting categories with all different cars competing. It’s one that I’ve liked to watch in the past.

“The history of the Phase IV makes it more interesting, too. Although it was made before I was born, I do really like big muscle cars of that era. It will be really interesting to see how this legendary car performs.

“I’ve had a lot of support from John Bowe and Wilson Security Racing and I really have to thank them for pulling this together with Phil Morris. I’m excited to be continuing relationship with McGrath Foundation as well.”

The Touring Car Masters is proudly presented by Autobarn, and supported by Biante Model Cars, Shannons Insurance, Rare Spares and official suppliers Hoosier Tires and Australian Sports Marketing.