John Zappia completed licensing in Craig Pedley's new Striker Monaro this week at the Perth Motorplex, and on its first full pass Zap ran a stunning 5.961 @ 239.35mph to give notice that this car has enormous potential.
"We did the first stage of our licensing two weeks ago", said an excited Zappia this week, "The half track run resulted in a 6.6 second 153 mph pass with the old record setting Whipple BAE engine package in the car. It was on a high five pass by the incrementals, and ran nice and straight”.
“The new car did it so easy I decided to transplant the TFX from Zap's Rat into the Crusher, and see what it could do at this meeting. It took us over 100 runs and two and a half years to run a "five" in Zap's Rat, and this car did it easy on it's first full pass! I can't wait to tune it up and go quicker".
The new car represents a dream come true for Striker Crushing and Screening co-owner Craig Pedley who, after entering ANDRA drag racing competition as a naming rights sponsor for Zappia Racing, commissioned Zap to build him a new state of the art Top Doorslammer.
The car was designed by John Zappia, who contracted SCF Race Car Fabrications from Sydney to build the chassis. All other work was completed locally in Western Australia, and the final build-up completed in house at the Zappia Racing facility.
The result is a high tech version of the HQ Monaro, with lightweight components, carbon fibre composites and all the mods learnt from the development of Zap's Rat - the current Australian National Record Holder.
"Look, I don't like predicting run times - we always let our results speak for themselves. But this car is something to get excited about, and gives us the best chance to break into the 5.7 range. The car feels tight and because it is lighter, we have been able to put lead weight in the chassis to balance the car and bring it up to 2,700lb legal weight".
“I have lots more development to do with the tuning on the PSI equipped TFX Hemi, and I am confident the chassis can hold the power I put into it. A big thanks to all the hard working crew, team members, and supporters of Zappia Racing who put in long hours to get this car to the track, and in such pristine condition”.
Zappia Racing have entered the new "Crusher" Monaro in this weekends Pro Stock ANDRA Pro Series event in the "Top Comp" Group 2 bracket in full Top Doorslammer trim, and expect big things from the new car.
“We are keen to win the WA Top Comp Championship this year. Two years ago we ran third, and last year I red lit in the final to take equal second place in the Championship. WA has a huge field of very quick blown alcohol cars, and the Championship is a coveted award here in Perth”.
Round Three of the ANDRA Top Doorslammer Pro Series Championship is here in Perth on 13th/14th November at the Goldenstates event. John Zappia and Robin Judd are equal leaders in the Pro Series after two rounds on 165 points, followed by Maurice Fabietti on 145 and Ben Bray on 120 points.
