3 Dec 2003 Back on Track - Zap's Rat Team is ready to compete
After several meetings of sorting the new car setup and tune, John Zappia's new Top Doorslammer is ready to compete head on with local and east coast competitors in this weekends Southside Engine Centre Golden State Challenge at the Kwinana Motorplex.
On a slippery Kwinana Motorplex track today at a private test and tune, John Zappia managed a respectable 6.49/223mph to solidify the team's base data for the new combo. Speaking to Zap after the run, he was fairly positive - "I pedalled the car after my vision started to blurr (I could not feel any tyre shake even though the video showed we had some), and drove the car through to lift off slightly early for the run. The car turned the tyres for a lot of the track, but at least it went reasonably straight. I am finally happy with the car, and believe we have the beginning of a very competitive package in this tough class."
The Zap's Rat Top Doorslammer is an inovative new car in the field, boasting a very low aerodynamic shape (just try standing next to the car to experience how low it is), an Anderson chassis and Walt Austin Top Alcohol blown Whipple funny car engine combo, in a HQ Monaro all steel body. Zap has been testing additional engine modifications and a new B & J Racing Transmission and Crower clutch setup at the last few local meetings, to take the new combo to the next level in Top Doorslammer - one of the most popular classes of drag racing in Australia at the moment.
"If we hope to win consistently, and maybe even dip into the fives, we need a package capable of delivering that result, and after significant developement and testing we think we have the combo that will give us those results." said Zappia. Already the new Zap's Rat Top Doorslammer has claimed the world record for fastest and quickest tin top sedan after only it's fourth run, and it's huge fan and supporter base is anticipating much more to come from the team.
"We have a long way to go in terms of fine tuning and development of the car - engine/clutch wise and aerodynamically. The car is state of the art, and I will extend the boundaries like I always have over time. I was the first to put a funny car engine in a sedan in the world, and set some pretty big records in the past, so we can do it again. In one period of the original Zap's Rat Monaro's history, we won every time we staged the car in over 100 runs! We still have a lot of the the original crew on the team from those days, so we know how to win and have the desire and support to do it again." said John Zappia.
Southside Engine Centre Goldenstate Challenge
Featuring round 3 of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship
Friday 5 December - Qualifying 5pm - 10pm.
Saturday 6 December - Qualifying 11am - 4:30pm
Eliminations - 4:30pm - 10pm.
Top Doorslammers and Top Bikes 6pm, 8pm and 10pm both days.
Additional event information can be obtained by contacting the Motorplex office on 9419 6622 or the Event Info Line on 1 902 291 500.
