John Zappia rewrote the record books today at Western Sydney International Dragway in Australia, by winning the opening round of the Top Doorslammer Championship with a world first 5.967 pass! Culminating two years of solid development work, the RENTCO Monaro has now set a new benchmark in Top Doorslammer drag racing by consistently running in the low sixes and high fives.
Speaking today after hours of celebrations, awards, cheque writing ceremonies, and autograph signing, John Zappia said of the win "Everything has come together this weekend for us. I designed and built this car to run in the fives, and today we proved it. With nearly the same tune we ran at Willowbank, minor adjustments were all that was needed for the car to easily run the world's first legal Doorslammer five second pass. All the hours in the shed have paid off, and we all couldn't be happier. The car was weighed and checked after each run by ANDRA - so it's legal. We even had video equipment installed in the car as well, so that weight can come out too".
John Zappia now has the trifector in Australian Doorslammer history - first Superstock car to run a seven second pass (AA/GAS), first Superstock car to run a six second pass (AA/GAS), and now the first Doorslammer (TD) to run a five, cementing him as a true legend and hero of the sport. All ANDRA class legal, scrutineered and with legal weight breaks. The weekend produced a number of milestones for the Zappia Racing team:
East Coast Nationals Top Doorslammer top qualifier with a 6.086et
East Coast Nationals Top Doorslammer top speed of 241.97mph
East Coast Nationals Top Doorslammer Champion
First Top Doorslammer five second pass in Australia
Quickest legal Doorslammer pass in the world
ANDRA Top Doorslammer ET National Record of 5.967
Reset the fastest and quickest Tin Top world records
Collected the $10,000 prize for the first 5 second pass in Australia
After an absence from the top of national drag racing in Australia, this new evolution Doorslammer will continue to wow crowds and put fear into other racers as John Zappia chases the 2005/2006 Top Doorslammer Championship. The humble guy from Spearwood, who still runs the team from the back shed, has proved that sheer cunning and design excellence can beat the big budget teams.
Visit the www.zapsrat.com.au web site over the next few weeks for photos, videos (including the in car 5 second pass), merchandise specials and interviews with John Zappia.
