Can Zap rat-a-tat-tat a 5-second pass at the ACDelco East Coast Nationals? He certainly intends to do so once again!
The 2005 ACDelco East Coast Nationals was all about John Zappia securing the world's first ever 5-second Top Doorslammer pass in his awesome HQ Monaro. The West Australian warrior returns to burn faster and quicker than ever before at the upcoming ACDelco East Coast Nationals at Western Sydney Internat ional Dragway come that first qualifying hit come Friday, September 1!
Zappia stunned the Australian motorsport world when he blitzed an incredible 5.967 second pass down the WSID quarter mile last September and is confident of doing something special again this time around.
"I am very confident we have the gear to get the job done again this time, we have testing behind us and some fresh Mickey Thompson tyres on. That being said, a few competitors have picked up their game at Sydney since the track was re-ground for this event last year. We probably stole a march on a few competitors last year in getting aggressive on that improved track after the re-grind, however quite a few teams look strong there now and have figured it out as well," remarked Zappia.
"With a new major sponsor Striker Crushing and Screening on board as well as Rentco back with the team this season, it means we have the spares you need to win races and win championships. The only the waiting game is on suppliers in getting the parts you need sometimes," joked Zappia.
Zappia was front and centre for the chase for the ANDRA Australian Top Doorslammer Championship, however moments of misfortune cost the team unfortunately when it counted, particularly in the back half of the season - a situation Zappia is keen to eliminate!
"Our motor program and spares available were thin last year, however we have no excuses this time around. We have two hard-hitting motors ready for the ACDelco event and we will have three complete engines by the mid-point of the upcoming season."
The real lowlight of last season for Zappia was undoubtedly the season-closing Winternationals at Willowbank, Queensland.
"With only one eventual qualifying hit due to the weather at Willowbank, there were always going to be hard luck stories and I was one of them unfortunately. We went crooked in the burnout and it meant I didn't get enough heat in the tyres on a c old track and as a result we just missed it, you can never just miss things in Doorslammer and that was no exception."
On the positive side of things, John Zappia likes the look of a number of initiatives for the start of the upcoming season."
Sydney having rain days around their events is a great idea. To travel thousands of kilometres for a rainout is extremely frustrating. The day after the Winternationals was concluded; we tested at the track on a perfect racing day and ran a 6.10 pass. At least we sorted some issues out there for this season with the car. I also suggested the racing swing to NSW and then onto QLD with the East Coast Nationals and Nationals events so its great to see that has been implemented."
The driver of the HQ Monaro beast is happy with the mooted PRO COMP initiative for the East Coast Nationals too, where non-qualifiers in Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer will race each other head-to-head on race day.
"I do like the Pro Comp idea, it gets us out there and providing exposure to sponsors and adding to the show on race day for the fans because you can't afford to have cars of this quality sitting in the pits. It is good testing in a live racing environment like Pro Comp provides too. That said, the best solution as far as I am concerned in Doorslammer is 16-car fields."
Can Zap rat-a-tat-tat a 5-second pass at the ACDelco East Coast Nationals? He certainly intends to do so once again!"
Well, my goal is to run a 5 (second pass) at every track and in every lane this season! We have been offered a $500 per second run bonus from Rentco each and every time we run under 6-seconds. So I can only home to run them consistently," smiled Zappia.
John Zappia has always caused a stir whenever one of his legendary cars rolls of a trailer to race and nothing will change in that regard come the ACDelco East Coast Nationals at Western Sydney International Dragway!
"Interest in our team is at an all time high, particularly in my home state of Western Australia, it has been amazing. Even from the old days of Ravenswood, nothing like the interest we have now in what we do that is for sure!"
ACDelco East Coast Nationals Friday,
September 1 and Saturday, September 2.
Western Sydney International Dragway
Ferrers Road, Eastern Creek
- See more than 420 Drag Racing Teams!
- 2006-2007 ANDRA Championship Series Opener for Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
- Super-charged Group One Racing with Pro Comp Eliminator for Doorslammer and Top Alcohol non-qualifiers on Saturday!
- 2006-2007 Rocket All Stars Series Opener for all Sportsman (Groups 2, 3 and 4) brackets.
- Spectator Gates Open 8:15am, Racing from 8.30am.
