ANDRA Pro Series drag racing kicks off the new 2009/2010 season this weekend the 8th and 9th August at Willowbank International Raceway with Round 1 of the Top Doorslammer Championship. Fresh off back-to-back Championship wins, legend John Zappia and his team are ready to take on all comers in his killer Striker Monaro.
“ANDRA drag racing only gets better and better” said veteran John Zappia this week, “The Pro Series is an evolution and step up for all Group 1 Teams, where we can perform on the national stage both at the track and on television. The One HD coverage has really made a difference to how drag racing is viewed on television, and the feedback from our fan base is excellent. There are many people who were not drag racing fans commenting on how good the coverage is and how exciting the sport of drag racing is. This is giving our sponsors enormous exposure and hopefully will expand to more sponsors getting involved in the best value for money motorsport”.
“The Top Doorslammer Championship will be tougher for us this year. We dominated last year because of a performance and consistency advantage, but many teams are stepping up their performance this year and may come closer. But in true West Aussie fashion we do not stand still in our drag racing – we move forward to set more benchmarks and set new records. It’s a tradition here in Blown Alcohol”.
The Striker Monaro sports new livery, with Fuchs and United Industries taking bigger stakes in their Major Sponsorship with larger stickers on the HQ. Striker Crushing and Screening are still the force behind the team, with Craig Pedley’s awesome new Top Doorslammer set for testing this season, and in full support of Zap’s journey towards a third championship win.
“We have refurbished Zap’s Rat over the winter break and fitted a brand new engine, so we expect a little more performance and much of the same super consistent runs from the car this season. I still have plenty to go in my tune up on this engine combo with a few new ideas brewing, and I think the new benchmark this season will be a 5.7 second pass”. For us to achieve three in a row, we need to be on our game as there will be stiff opposition from the likes of Robin Judd, Maurice Fabietti, Ben Bray and Gary Phillips. Each year the bump spot is lowered and we expect to have several bump spots in the 6.0’s this season. This doesn’t leave much room for error and could come down to reaction times or consistency of runs.
Competition for qualifying on the Saturday will be tough, with sixteen cars all trying to fit into eight spots for eliminations with runs at 1.00pm EST, 3.00pm and 5.00pm.
Overnight teams will be able to lick their wounds, repair damage or put the final touches for Sunday eliminations at 12.30pm EST, 2.15pm and 3.45pm onwards for the finals.
The Zappia Racing Team is focused on winning another Championship this year, with top level consistency being their strength, as John Zappia enters his 26th year in drag racing in 2010.
“John really is a big factor in the wins we have” said nitro guru Graham Jones from Southside Engine Center, “Going to Willowbank really is a tough assignment for any driver in these big events, and Zap is just so cool under pressure, and can produce the results when it counts. He really is as good a driver as you could get in this category, with the feedback he gives after each pass, and his tuning ability. It’s a formidable combination really - heading up this very seasoned team”.
“This crew we have now are the best” said Zap, “A lot of work goes into the car well before we even get to the track and they should be applauded. But it’s when something goes wrong that they really shine – those quick thrashes to do an engine change between races and still get on the start line are awesome. Gives me confidence to win”.
“A new range of T-shirts will be available at the Zappia Racing Merchandise Trailer. So make your way down to our pits and join in the buzz of Australia’s Top Doorslammer team going about their crew duties, massaging more horsepower out of the hemi blown alcohol engines to heat up those Mickey Thompson slicks”.
Follow the progress: Zap Top Qualifies [ Event Details at Willowbank site ]
