Monday, 27th August 2007
Marcus Zukanovic showed everyone just why he had been named 2006 CAMS Personality of the Year, last weekend at Oran Park.
In poor weather conditions, Zukanovic showed just how adaptable he is to the changing landscape and the level of focus that is required in V8 Supercar racing.
The weekend has started well with Zukanovic putting in the 4th best time during the 1st practice session.
Marcus summed up his initial thoughts: "We used some really old tyres straight up as I am sure others do and we're 4th fastest. The balance of the car was there and I felt we'd go good in the races."
Suddenly it's Friday afternoon and in the second practice the car seemed to go away, somewhat.
"The track changes a great deal as the day goes on. What was comfortable early on seems weird later. The Carrera Cup cars are putting down some rubber and then I reckon the Performance cars take it off. 24th is odd but that's how it is here at OP. We're focused on a top 10 in qualifying anyway."
The Z-Man was keen for the top 10 in Saturday Q and thats exactly how it turned out - a small change to the roll centre and the ex-Tander Toll VZ was instantly on the money.
Saturday afternoon and it's Race 1 time - Zukanovic made a strong start with the majority of the field driving sensibly. By lap 3 he moved to P7 working his way up to finish 5th and set the fastest lap time.
Whilst encouraging, he was penalised with a 33 second penalty for passing another car under yellows, dropping him down the field.
"I just didn't see the flag," lamented Marcus, "Coming onto the bridge it's a bit hard to see the flag point because you are climbing and turning at the same time. Once you get onto the bridge you're committed and then there is the flag. Sure, it was my mistake, but it's disappointing, however I won't make that error twice!"
By now Marcus was looking forward to an early dinner and a good sleep. That was exactly how it wasn't to be.
Father Mick had tipped Junior in on a Phillip Island presentation dinner and had volunteered him to do an on-stage song and dance show that night - in Melbourne!
Just as Jimmy Richards would race Targa Tasmania, jump on the afternoon flight to Melbourne and race a NASCAR at Thunderdome all those years ago, and fly back to Tassie in the morning, Marcus was doing the same. Signs of a true versatile racing car driver!
The dinner was, however, the full set up and only after he'd arrived did the true picture become clear.
The Phillip Island Auto Racing Club members had voted Marcus the "Competitor of the Year".
Marcus was thrilled:" I love racing at PI and the people here have been great to me over the years so when they asked Dad if I'd come along it was an easy choice. But they all got me well tonight!"
"Just looking at the names on this trophy is special stuff - Lowndes, Murph, Alfie Costanzo, Paul Stokell - it's pretty cool." Returning to Oran Park, Sydney, the next morning and the weather had turned sour.
Race 2 was a reverse grid deal but after the Saturday indiscresion, Zukanovic would start 23rd, in the wet. Soon the track was drying and the car package started to work better.
"I got up as high as 9th but went a touch deep into Turn 1 and went off slighty at (Turn) 2 and ended up finishing 14th so it was an improvement and its good to see the pace we have."
"In the last race I started 18th and the car was very strong in the torrential rain. I got up to 5th and was behind Jonathan Webb and Damien White.
"At Suttons' I was trying to get around Webb but he give me a tap and I span. It wasn't that hard to get back on them again as the car was just deluxe but perhaps I was trying a bit hard and made an error which finished our day in the kitty litter at turn 4. All in all it was an ok weekend in that we know we can run at the front but just need to keep things tidier from here on."
Bathurst is next and its a track where your result can redeem you for the entire year. With his car speed good and the ability to run strongly in the rain, Mount Panorama should see the Z-Man star again, as he had done in Winton.