Hansford trumps round-winner Zukanovic in TCM finale

Ryan Hansford managed to deny Marcus Zukanovic a clean sweep by winning a short, but dramatic Touring Car Masters finale at Bathurst.

A comfortable 3s win over Handford on Sunday saw Zukanovic go back to back in the XD Falcon, but the Torana trumped him in the finale.

Despite falling second best in the third race of the weekend shortened by a Safety Car, Zukanovic did enough to secure a maiden TCM round win. John Bowe scored a podium place in third in his final full-time TCM round at Mount Panorama.

Off the line Zukanovic held the inside line to get the lead, but he and Hansford went side by side up Mountain Straight where the XD Falcon prevailed after a close call at Griffins Bend.

The race then settled down until Cameron Tilley had to get his elbows out to keep Andrew Fisher at bay for fourth, going defensive at both the Chase and Murrays.

But this did not stop Fisher from diving down the inside at Hell Corner before the pair then had a drag race up Mountain Straight where the Jesus Racing driver finally made it stick.

Zukanovic’s lead over Hansford hovered around a second, but by lap three Zukanovic was under pressure by Hansford losing grip and cracked at Murrays, running wide, allowing the Torana to steal the lead.

But it was not done as another side by side run up Mountain Straight decided the battle for first and Hansford held on on the inside, while Bowe started to examine the back of the #71 Falcon.

The timing of the move proved to be critical as the yellows were required when the Chevy Monza of Ben Dunn went too fast into the right hander before the Dipper, rotated and rear ended into the concrete hard.

The damaged Monza came to rest alongside the barrier on the inside on entry to The Dipper, bringing out the Safety Car, which led the field to the chequered flag.

Hansford’s success ensured the Touring Car Masters title chase stayed alive with Steven Johnson in seventh ahead of the VAILO Adelaide 500 finale on November 23-26.

Touring Car Masters race 3 results

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