John Zappia, Sponsors, crew and supporters revealed the all new Top Doorslammer at this weekend's Western Nationals at the Kwinana Motorplex, Perth Western Australia. [ Photos ]
Despite being knocked out in round one of eliminations, it was smiles all round for the team and huge crowd that attended the two day event. The second pass of the day revealed the true potential of the car, running 6.252 at 233.6 mph on only it's 4th full quarter mile run. [ Lap Times and movies ]
The weekend was a culmination of 12 months hard work by Zap and his many crew members, supporters and friends as they worked long and hard in the shed to build this third generation Anderson Top Doorslammer.
Licensing
The week started with a test and tune opportunity on Saturday at the Motorplex, where the car was booked to commence licensing runs. Last minute holdups and preparations saw the car arrive at the plex late, to a small but keen crowd awaiting a glimpse at the low slung HQ Monaro.
Engine guru Lloyd Jones discovered a slight problem with the fuel system during pre-run checks which prevented a lap, but the engine was fired up for the first time. To hear the engine run after so much work brought a smile to a few faces and relief that a significant milestone had been reached.
The Motorplex was booked by drivers for private testing on Thurday, and Zap took the opportunity to license the car prior to the Western Nationals. First pass was a strong straight burnout and half pass. Next run was a low 7 second pass after getting a little out of the groove, which failed to convince ANDRA officials. Zap and the crew turned the car around in 20 minutes, and rattled off a 6.63/218.97 dead straight pass to clinch licencing for the weekend. "The car was beautiful to drive - dead straight" commented Zap, "despite slipping and frying the clutch, the time was good".
Western Nationals
Saturday saw the public debut of the car, to a huge crowd eagerly awaiting a view of their favourite West Aussie racer. First competition qualifying pass saw the car leave a little soft, and run a 6.511/221.13 with Zap pedaling the car once at the 1000ft mark after hearing what he thought was the limiter cut the engine.
After some minor nozzle changes and clutch adjustments the car lined up for qualifier No 2. Zap left a little soft again, but ran a straight and true 6.252/233.6 - his personal best for doorslammer (Zap has run 6.16/228 in the Zap's Rat funny car previously). The crowd went wild, and other Top Doorslammer drivers took note - the car has run a significant time on only it's fourth full pass. One driver was overheard saying "it took me two years to reach that mph, and Zap has done it in one week!"
Third pass of the day and final qualifier saw the car fry the clutch to run a 7.185/220.58. The 6.25 was only good enough for No 7 spot after the field stepped up a notch to very tough standard.
Back in the pits, the crew frantically removed the Lenco gearbox and clutch to observe the damage. New plates and springs were the order, so a close racing associate came to the rescue overnight with new components, and the parts were assembled on Sunday and set up just in time for first round eliminations against tough new racer Ben Bray.
Zap left harder, but he was off the noise at half track as the car got out of the groove to the right, and Ben Bray going on to a strong 6.135/233.76 win. Elimination results were:
