Zukanovic continues build of TCM XD Falcon

Marcus Zukanovic will hold off the debut of his XD Falcon until at least Round 3 of the Touring Car Masters series to ensure that the car is adequately prepared.

Zukanovic and the family-run Action Racing team had hoped to have the car, which will be the first of its type in TCM, ready in time for the season-opener in Adelaide and then this weekend’s second round at Symmons Plains.

However, an unexpectedly complex build process has seen that timeline shift further.

“Being a smaller scale team, a family-based team, the resources are not as accessible so it’s just taking us a little longer to design and get through stuff,” Zukanovic told Speedcafe.com.

“We didn’t anticipate the build to be so intricate. They’re a very intricate car the way the rule book allows you to build them and that’s probably one aspect that we didn’t anticipate.

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“We are definitely building it, we’re fully committed, it’s just taken a bit longer.

“If we build it right properly the first time, we won’t have too many issues.”

Zukanovic said that the team, which is managed by father Mick, has installed the engine, gearbox, and driveline, and is now moving into “trying to set up plumbing and wiring and all that sort of fancy stuff.”

The Victorian outfit is not the only team building an XD, with Team Johnson planning to introduce its own example, currently under construction, next year.

A 15-car field has been announced for Round 2 on the Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint support card.

The line-up includes the return of Andrew Fisher and the Jesus Racing XY Falcon which had been sidelined due to a pre-season testing crash, while Gary O’Brien will take to the track in a new Holden Monaro GTS.

The Paynter Dixon Touring Car Masters will appear for Practice and Qualifying on Friday.

Entry list: Round 2, Symmons Plains Raceway

Num	Team/Sponsor	Driver	Year	Make	Model
6	Multispares Racing	Ryan Hansford	1974	Holden	Torana SL/R 5000
8	Bendigo Retro Muscle Cars	Gary O’Brien	1972	Holden	Monaro GTS
9	Jesus Racing	Andrew Fisher	1971	Ford	Falcon XY GT HO
16	Carne Grill / Precinct Bar	Gavin Bullas	1970	Ford	Mustang Fastback
17	WM Waste / Herrod Performance	Steve Johnson	1969	Ford	Mustang Fastback
18	Wilson Security / PAYCE	John Bowe	1974	Holden	Torana SL/R 5000
19	Slideways Go Kart Centre	Cameron Wilson	1970	Ford	Mustang Fastback
25	Maxi-Trans Trailers	Paul Freestone	1968	Chevrolet	Camaro
27	MOCOMM Motorsport Communications	Jim Pollicina	1974	Holden	Torana A9X
35	Bigmate Racing	Jason Gomersall	1978	Holden	Torana A9X Hatchback
38	Leon Bell Automotive / Port Sorell Storage	Leon Bell	1973	Holden	Monaro GTS Coupe
46	THD Motorsport	Leo Tobin	1969	Ford	Boss Mustang
60	Glennan Transport / ANGLOMOIL Lubricants	Cameron Tilley	1969	Valiant	Pacer
85	Whiteline Racing / King Springs	Mark King	1970	Chevrolet	Camaro RS
95	Whiteline Racing / Fabre Australia	Adam Bressington	1969	Chevrolet	Camaro SS