8 Dec 2003 Golden States Event Summaryby Paul Carey
It was hard to imagine a professional and dedicated race team could be so happy and excited, after being knocked out in the first round of a national championship competition. But the Zap's Rat crew were delerious late Saturday night after the Golden States Top Doorslammer at the Kwinana Motorplex, in Perth WA.
John Zappia managed to hang on for dear life in his wild HQ Monaro on Friday night to snatch fifth fastest qualifier position with a 6.245/222.77mph pass that had other competitors on the line staring in amazement. Not so much the 1/4 mile et, but the fact that the new Zap's Rat managed a 3.998 half track 660' time, while black tracking the most of the way and pedalling at least twice. Murray Anderson commented afterwards, that only Top Alcohol funny cars in the US were able to do that!
The team worked through the night until 6am, rebuilding the new B & J Racing gearbox, as the last run on friday night had caused a slight over rev. Talking to James Ristic afterwards, he said "the B & J box is absolutely gorgeous inside - and that is coming from a CNC specialist machinist with Avtech CNC Engineering - with the standard of workmanship far above the Lenco's previously used by the team". The clutch plates required machining, so it was off to Southside Engine Centre to "do the job properly", as well as rectifying push rods and rocker gear breakages.
With assistance from many Zap's Rat sponsors and supporters, the rear end geometry was adjusted to try and stop the car turning right - a dilemma many new high horsepower cars face in their sorting out period. Chris Mills from Chris Mills Performance was studying the Motec data on Richard Zappia's laptop, Pete Veersma dropped in for comments, and Murray Anderson crewing for Kapiris had plenty to say (considering he built the chassis). Adjustments and measurements were made, and all was set for a first round run against arch rival Grant O'Rourke in the orange Monaro. Sitting in the crowd waiting for the staging lights to go on, the atmosphere was intense. "Come on Zap!" and other chants were being shouted from the fiercely parochial WA crowd. Once again the car turned right, causing Zap to pedal to prevent a lane violation, and losing to a quick 6.17 from O'Rourke, with a 6.28/234.37mph.
Brett Stevens eventually went on to win the final, in a confusing moment where track staff could not inform the crowd who had actually won due to timing irregularities. Click on the image to study the times:
So why were Zap and the crew so delighted? "We now have some serious data for a baseline tune on the engine. We know it is making lots of power, and can now get on with fine tuning that setup in our usual way. USA Top Alcohol veteran Walt Austin has worked with us constantly over many years, because we are always able to get more power from his combo's with a little home grown magic" smiles Zap. "The chassis will take a while to sort out, because we have a completely different philosophy to our setup than any other Pro-Mod or Top Doorslammer team around. This car will make the numbers, believe me. I know that now after this weekend."
The elimination run of Zap's Rat of 6.28/234.37 actually reset the world record for Tin Tops previously set by the car on 8th April 2003. The mph increase from 233.6 to 234.37 makes this car the fastest and quickest non composite car in the world. All other Top Doorslammers in the field this weekend were fitted with composite bodies.
John Zappia will compete in the local Top Comp rounds over the next few meetings to continue the fine tuning, and will compete in later local rounds of the Top Doorslammer competition.
2003/2004 AUSTRALIAN TOP DOORSLAMMER CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS AFTER TWO ROUNDS
Brett Stevens 238
Ben Bray 193
Steve Stanic 190
Grant O'Rourke 150
Victor Bray 100
Peter Kapiris 100
Maurice Fabietti 80
Robin Judd 70
John Zappia 60
Gary Phillips 50
Andrew Searle 45
Allan Sarkis 20
Shane Olive 20
Joe Schembri 20
