30th Dec 2006 - Nitro Funny Car Meeting - Perth Motorplex.
John Zappia and his Zappia Racing team presented the Striker Monaro Top Doorslammer for local competition yesterday at his home track in Perth, Western Australia, and were stopped short of an A Final win by a time curfew after delays due to oil downs. His qualifying pass of 6.026et @ 237.46, and first round win 6.030et @ 238.72mph on a 6.42 index were enough to gain a finals berth.
The day was hot and dry, and the team were ready to consolidate the world class 5 second runs completed over the last few events. 5.964 and 5.922 second runs at the previous Top Doorslammer meeting had stunned the world, and the crowd were anticipating another 5 second pass from their local hero. The spare BAE engine was in the car, with Walt Austin heads that have never been used before.
"First pass off the trailer was quick. We fitted new Aurora rods ends into the 4 link suspension during the week and the car went dead straight. The car nosed over at the top of second gear when I just stayed in it too long and hit the limiter at 10,000rpm, but just took off in top" said Zap, "In the heat of the day on a hot 128F degree track that was impressive".
"We turned the car around with no major dramas as the tune was way safe, but on the second pass we hit a patch of nitro fuel on the track surace from the previous Nitro Funny Car pass and turned hard right. I managed to pedal and correct, but only managed a 6.521et @ 221.67mph. I had noticed the car spin the rear slicks when reversing, and thought that was a little strange - turned out that was the reason".
Zap was paired up against Adam Croker in his stunning Corvette Top Doorslammer in Round 1. This year the Perth Motorplex dropped the long standing Top Comp Personal Index System in favour of using the ANDRA Competition Indexes. The old system was developed as a means of fostering local blown alcohol teams but unfairly penalised the faster more competitive cars. With the success of Supercharged Outlaws fostering sportsman blown alcohol teams, the format was dropped.
"I cut a brillant .004 light and was happy with the 6.03 win off a 6.42 index against Crokers 6.49. Croker's car is a new combo and they are going through the development process with that one. The Rat's engine was still a safe tune and we were all set to take on our sponsor Striker Crushing and Screening's challenge of a cash bonus for each five second pass in the A Final. We knew Aaron Deery's BB Dragster was hurt, and they were going to just stage for the money. It was dissapointing for the crowd really, who love to see the Striker Monaro go well, but that's racing as they say".
The Zappia Racing team have two more local rounds of competition on Jan 13th with Jet Dragsters, 2nd - 3rd Feb with Top Fuel Dragsters, then head across the Nullabor for Round 4 of the Australian ANDRA Top Doorslammer Championship at Western Sydney International Raceway.
"We want to win this championship" said Zap after the meeting, "This local round racing helps us get track time to get consistency with each engine package and help bond the large team we have. We are happy with the Walt Austin/Whipple package, and will commence further testing with the new TFX engine equipped with the latest PSI screw blower."
