Zappia Racing provided some Top Doorslammer action last weekend for the fans at the Perth Motorplex Top Alcohol meeting, by running a string of low six second passes; a 5.999 second pass in eliminations, and a B Final win for the Striker Monaro.
In preparation for Top Doorslammer Championship Round 3 at the Golden State Titles at his home track in Perth, quick man John Zappia was all smiles after the two-day event.
“These performances this weekend should put a little fear in my competition” said Zap, “We are a consistent low 6.0 second car and working on being a consistent 5.9 second car. This weekend we have got our speed back up – something we have been working on for a while. We know our home track very well, but the new concrete surface caused teams some drama over the weekend in Top Alcohol, and other Doorslammers. It should be interesting to see how the other Top Doorslammers adjust to the surface in two weeks.”
“First pass on the Friday night off the trailer I put in a 6.03 tune, and we rattled off a straight 6.067et @ 236.84mph. A very fine adjustment here and there and next qualifier was a 6.016et @ 239.36mph straight pass – picking up both et and speed.”
“On the Saturday we decided to give the three o’clock qualifier a run as well, but the tyres shook hard and a pedal was required, producing a 6.458et @ 231.95mph. The compulsory qualifier in Top Comp was at six o’clock, and the 6.044et @ 241.93 run was our fastest ever speed at our home track, and the fastest run ever with the PSI/TFX combination. Oddly we only ran a 1.08” 60 foot time on this run, slower than our usual 1.02 times.”
“First Round I was up against local mate Pino Priolo in his AA/AP Commodore, and the car ran straight through for a 5.999et @ 240.00mph after I short shifted into top gear – giving us the win and a B Final appearance. I love doing fives because I designed the car to do this in the beginning, and it’s nice to achieve a goal in this difficult class.”
“The final was up against the AA/FC Funny Car of John Napier, who was in good form off an A Final win in last meeting’s Top Comp. The Striker Monaro shook on the hit and went to the right, so I hauled it back into the groove, but noticed Napier dropping back and I over steered into the centre a little. The track was a little slippery and this was a hairy run, but a 6.023et @ 239.36 was enough for the win.”
“The car behaved itself well over the weekend with no damage, and reliable data for us to evaluate over the next week. I am looking forward to the Golden States, and maintaining a lead in the ANDRA Top Doorslammer championship.”
