Zukanovic training hard for season opener..

Over the V8 Supercar off-season, dual 2006 Australian Champion and Fujitsu Series title contender Marcus Zukanovic has been training tirelessly in preparation for the forthcoming Clipsal 500 season-opener (February 22-24) in Adelaide, in full anticipation of the greatest year of his motorsport career..

Whilst the hours of gym work, countless miles cycling the suburbs of Melbourne and monitored diet go against the grain for the boy from Melbourne's tough Western suburbs, he know's it's worth it..

"Christmas was tough..." Marcus admitted. "Watching everyone enjoying their big Christmas lunch, then joining our big Serbian family for their Christmas in early January, I could have cried.. That was tougher mentally than the opening race at Bathurst last year.. It's all going to be worth it though because this year we're a very serious chance for the Fujitsu Series title.."

Campaigning what was quite possibly the best car in the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series, in Garth Tander's Toll/HSV VZ Commodore, Zukanovic endured a season of ups and downs in 2007 in his first full season back in a Supercar, which featured some stunning highlights and some disappointing lowlights.. "We set race fastest laps, we were on the podium and were comfortably in the top five when it mattered most, but.." Zukanovic's reflection centres mainly on the lack of engineering knowledge that plagues cars up and down the 'Development Series' garages.. To many it sounds like a convenient excuse, but the reality is few Fujitsu Series teams manage to benefit from the knowledge and technology that took the front running Championship Series cars to victory, once they appear in the feeder category.. "An engineer makes all the difference," Zukanovic agreed. "We spent a number of years in V8 Utes and Commodore Cup and probably established one of the best teams in the game, but Supercars is a different kettle of fish.. The boys worked hard last year to learn as much as they could, but we still got caught out a few times with silly little things that an experienced team would not. It will be different this year."

One of the big changes to the Opes Prime supported team over the New Year break was the addition of former Britek team members Matt Corderoy and Mark Beveridge, both of whom will add significant depth to the team. "Matty and Mark have had a huge impact already," Marcus confirmed. "We've always had a good team, but we were short on Supercar experience, which is where those guys will be invaluable."

Coupled with his work as chief spanner on the Opes Prime Commodore, Corderoy is also a top-class cyclist and manages one of Victoria's leading cycling team, something which has rubbed off already on Zukanovic.. "Matt's got me off the mountain bike and onto the road bike already and we've been doing a lot of miles."

"Just last week I competed in my first 'professional' criterion around Port Melbourne, that was an experience.." Zukanovic laughed. "I kept with them for a while, but I missed out on the tactical side, working with team-mates etc, so I'm looking to pick up some tips there as well.."

After some stirring drives last season which saw Zukanovic regularly within shot of the leaders, 2008 promises to be a big year, especially with the four of the top 11 drivers in the Fujitsu Series graduating to the 'main game'. This year will see some serious competition, especially with two championship series drivers returning to the Fujitsu Series (Jack Perkins and Dean Canto). "They will be serious outright contenders, especially considering the miles in a Supercar they did last season compared to the relatively limited campaign the Fujitsu Series teams run. David Reynolds will obviously be quick, as will Chris Pither and Jonathon Webb, but I think with the package we have in place this year, we'll be right there.."

With just under a month until the season opener, Zukanovic and the Opes Prime team are champing at the bit to get trackside.. "We've got a new transporter in its final stages, a new team, a great sponsor and some fantastic opportunities this year - what's not to be happy about. I can't wait..."

For further information or images, please call Opes Prime Racing's Media Manager Sean Henshelwood on 0419 13 267 or email: 321ignition@austarnet.com.au