Zukanovic makes main game debut

   March 10, 2008

For the first time in V8 Supercar history, drivers scheduled for endurance duty later in the season were given an opportunity to turn laps in practice at a championship round to gain valuable miles ahead of their competition debuts, Eastern Creeks opening session open to all B drivers of teams who were inside the top 16 in championship points after Clipsal.

This news was most welcome for Opes Prime Racing's Fujitsu Series Supercar star Marcus Zukanovic, who is slated to drive alongside HSVDT's Paul Dumbrell in the endurance rounds, providing him at least three opportunities to drive the car in the opening half hour session of an event.

With Dumbrell gaining additional extra miles in car #16 thanks to his two DNFs at Clipsal, Zukanovic was placed in Rick Kelly's Opes Prime Commodore for the session as Kellys regular partner Paul Radisich was away competing in New Zealand.

What an opportunity, Zukanovic beamed on hearing the news. Finally a chance to get miles amongst the main game drivers in one of the current spec cars.

Whilst it was a valuable experience for Zukanovic, it also came with great responsibility. I've been given a task for my run, and that's what I need to stick to. Its Rick's car and hes got a big weekend ahead of him in looking to consolidate his championship position. I've been given three laps to bed brakes, and three laps to have a bit of a go, but I need to have the car back in one piece with tyres intact and ready for Rick to start his session.

At the close of the session Zukanovic had turned in a best lap of 1:38.4543, just over three seconds off Rick Kelly's pace from the second session, but within touch of his Fujitsu Series compatriots. That was outstanding, Zukanovic beamed afterwards. And I tell you, I love that sequential shift. It was only a casual run, I had a job to do and that was big picture. Importantly I gained a lot out of the track walk with Paul, Rick and the engineers, and the same from the debriefs after each session, those are the kinds of things you just don't get the chance to experience at our level, so it was invaluable.

For the Opes Prime Racing team though focus now shifts to round two of the championship at Goulburn's Wakefield Park on April 4-6, where Marcus will look to improve on his championship position and his tenth placed finish at the venue in 2007.

I've always had a soft spot for Wakefield and had my fair share of success over the years in both Utes and Commodore Cup, but last year there we struggled a little during practice which put us off the back foot. We were looking good after an 11th and a fourth in two races before contact from behind from Tim Slade ended our run in race three, but we recovered for tenth outright for the weekend - we'll be looking for better than that next round.

The Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series is televised on Channel 7, check local guides for details. Round #2 of the 2008 Fujitsu Series is scheduled for Wakefield Park (Goulburn) on April 4-6.

Opes Prime provides prime brokerage services to financial market participants and to sophisticated investors. The prime brokerage services include securities lending and borrowing, asset management, structured products, trade execution and corporate finance/advisory.Opes Prime has offices in Melbourne (head office), Sydney and Singapore. Visit www.opesprime.com for more details.

Marcus Zukanovic is proudly supported by Opes Prime, No Fear, DBA Brakes Australia, Kevin Dennis HSV Centre, Dandy Pre-Mix, Unior, Mercedes Benz Trucks, Pirtek Dandenong, Stay Tuned Sports Medicine, StoneFitness.com.au

For further information or images, please call Opes Prime Racings media manager Sean Henshelwood on 0419 143 267 or email: 321ignition@austarnet.com.au