A small field of Top Comp cars turned up for the annual "USA Jets" event - typically a very hot time in the southern hemisphere - no white Christmas here for us Aussies!. Today was no exception, with high temperatures and humidity over 75% with pending thunderstorms, and the rain holding off until 15 minutes after the last run of the night.
This presents racing teams with a dilema. With the "air" at 4,000 feet corrected, the level of oxygen available for the blown alcohol engines is severely reduced - so a "tune" has to be worked out for this condition with computers and weather stations. On top of this, track temperature in the blazing sun reached 142 degrees F in the afternoon for qualifying runs, and most cars have difficulty keeping traction.
It is these exact conditions John Zappia and his team like to be exposed to outside of Top Doorslammer championship rounds - to gain experience and get a "tune" for future bad days. Zap leads the 2005/2006 Top Doorslammer Championship, and is keen to bring home the championship to Perth for the first time.
First qualifying lap out for the RENTCO Monaro was simply stunning according to resident track commentator Stuart Bond with a black tracking near straight 6.175et @ 234.98mph. "That lap was one of the most stunning passes I have seen. To run within two tenths of a World Record and his personal best, on a track that is this slippery, and in questionable air is a testimony to some brilliant tuning and clutch. It shows the team are prepared to think outside the square, and they really do understand their Doorslammer racing."
Compulsory qualifyer at 6pm saw Zap rattle off a 6.209et @ 234.98mph to place him third in qualifying behind the two Altereds of Bird and Morrison. First eliminator was up against the Altered of Behrendt, and Zap's 6.09et @ 236.84mph off a 6.25 index was enough for the win. The local Top Comp rules configure A and B finals from the quickest cars under their index after the first round, and a B Final was awarded to Zap due to Doug Bird completing an incredible 6.140et off an 6.75et index.
The B Final competitor was Peter Nowak in his CC/DA dragster running off a 7.11et index. Zap was down to a 6.25et index, so was behind the eight ball against the consistent Nowak who races in the 6.8's. A red light from Zap gave the win to Nowak, as the RENTCO Monaro ran a 6.176et @ 236.22mph over the dragsters 6.868et @ 192.71mph.
"Today conditions were difficult - we were down 2lb in boost, but the car was reasonably consistent as we continued our testing of new components. We have one more local round here at the Motorplex, before we head off to Sydney for Round 4 of the Top Doorslammer Championship at the WSID Summernationals 9 - 11th Feb 2006" said a reflective Zappia after the event.
