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Zukanovic Claims First Round Win, Bowe Takes Farewell Podium
Marcus Zukanovic has claimed a long-awaited maiden Gulf Western Oils Touring Car Masters round win, whilst John Bowe has claimed a podium in his Bathurst TCM farewell at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.
The day’s first race was highlighted by a fierce battle for third between the Holden Torana SL/R of Bowe and the Valiant Pacer of Cameron Tilley, which went right the way to the finish line.
The two-time Bathurst 1000 winner launched an audacious move around the outside of Tilley at Murray’s Corner with the chequered flag in sight, managing to steal third at the death by one hundredth of a second.
Meanwhile at the front of the field, Zukanovic drove into the distance in the Action Motor Industries Ford Falcon XD, claiming the Race Two win by just over two seconds from Ryan Hansford’s Multispares Racing Torana.
Zukanovic would lead Bowe at the rolling start for the third and final race, however Hansford was on a mission and quickly dispatched Bowe and set about chasing Zukanovic in the lead.
On lap four, Zukanovic would get a poor run onto Pit Straight, allowing Hansford to draw alongside and make the move down the inside at Hell Corner, with Bowe right in behind.
What shaped as a three-way fight for the win never eventuated however, as Ben Dunn found the wall in The Esses after spinning his Chevrolet Monza, with the race ultimately ending behind the safety car.
Andrew Fisher would finish fourth in Race Three after storming his way from the rear of the grid to fifth in the earlier race in his Jesus Racing Holden Torana A9X.
Both Sunday races in Pro Sport were swept by Warren Trewin’s Holden Monaro HQ for SNB Berryman Racing, whilst Lance Hughes also swept both races in the Invitational class for Hamilton Asphalts.
The final round for Gulf Western Oils Touring Car Masters takes place at the VAILO Adelaide 500 on November 23-26.