A Weekend at Perth Motorplex

Seven-time consecutive Australian ANDRA Top Doorslammer Champion John Zappia won the 44th Westernationals at Perth Motorplex, extending his lead in the 2015 season to 85 points after two rounds.

The Western Australian event tested all 18 teams. Hot weather and difficult track conditions pushed drivers and tuners throughout the weekend, with the bump spot set at a tight 6.045 for the eight-car qualifying field.

"We have started poorly in previous championships, but this double win has taken us ahead of the rest and given us some breathing space." - John Zappia

Qualifying

Zappia placed the Fuchs/Striker Crushing and Screening Monaro into second position with an off-the-trailer 5.892 at 249.30 mph, a pass that included an off-and-on throttle correction.

Subsequent qualifying attempts yielded a 6.147 at 245.23 mph affected by tyre shake, and a 5.981 at 245.23 mph in the rescheduled Saturday session. Peter Kapiris claimed top qualifier with a 5.877 at 239.36 mph.

Eliminations

In Round 1 against Wayne Keys, the Monaro shook early, requiring a throttle lift before powering through to a 5.863 at 251.39 mph. Keys overpowered the track and could not complete the pass. Fabietti, Gregorini, and Kapiris all advanced from their first-round matchups.

Round 2 paired Zappia against Daniel Gregorini. Despite continued tyre shake requiring another pedal correction, Zappia posted a 5.776 at 252.10 mph to earn lane choice for the final. Gregorini overpowered the track and was unable to complete a competitive run.

In the other semi-final, Peter Kapiris took the win over Maurice Fabietti after a slow reaction time on the line.

The Final: Zappia vs. Kapiris

The final matched the two quickest qualifiers. Kapiris had the advantage at the lights with a 0.117 reaction time against Zappia's 0.140. By 50 feet, the Monaro was ahead on the strength of a 0.959-second sixty-foot time. Zappia took the win with a 5.784 at 252.10 mph to Kapiris' 5.814 at 248.61 mph - a margin of 0.007 seconds.

"Craig was right and that quick start proved to be an advantage. The car still rattled hard and I had to pedal with a bigger pedal than the 5.776 run, but we had the power to get through that and stay ahead for the rest of the run." - John Zappia

Zappia also collected an additional 10 championship points for Low ET and Top Speed at the event.

Championship Standings After Round 2

John Zappia leads with 235 points, followed by Maurice Fabietti on 152, Daniel Gregorini on 110, and Marty Dack and Peter Kapiris both on 108.

Looking Ahead

Zappia Racing will next appear at the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercars event from 26 February to 1 March, running the Monaro in the Fuchs Lubricants drag demonstration down the main straight. Round Three of the Championship is scheduled for Adelaide International Raceway on 14-15 March 2015.

Full Results

Qualifiers

P. Kapiris - Dodge 59 Saratoga 5.877 | J. Zappia - 71 HQ Monaro 5.892 | D. Gregorini - Camaro 5.920 | M. Fabietti - Holden Monaro 5.924 | M. Belleri - Camaro 5.943 | M. Dack - BA Falcon 5.974 | W. Keys - Holden Monaro 5.976 | P. Priolo - 37 Chev Coupe 6.045

Non-Qualifiers

G. O'Rourke - Pontiac Firebird 6.064 | S. Bishop - Camaro 6.118 | M. Chapman - Plymouth Fury 6.145 | M. O'Connor - ZM Falcon 6.237 | P. Carbone - Camaro 6.416 | R. Moresby - Holden Grange 6.429 | S. Catalano - Studebaker 6.495 | P. Cannuli - Camaro 6.617 | O. Ducker - 1937 Chevy 7.334 | S. Aldridge - Chev Belair Coupe 17.130

Round 1

M. Fabietti 5.901 @ 246.57 mph def. M. Belleri 7.266 @ 133.53 mph | D. Gregorini 5.955 @ 246.57 mph def. M. Dack 5.947 @ 244.56 mph | J. Zappia 5.863 @ 251.39 mph def. W. Keys 8.555 @ 99.44 mph | P. Kapiris 5.921 @ 238.72 mph def. P. Priolo 8.059 @ 136.36 mph

Semi-Final

P. Kapiris 5.887 @ 246.57 mph def. M. Fabietti 5.820 @ 247.93 mph | J. Zappia 5.776 @ 252.10 mph def. D. Gregorini 28.897 @ 0.00 mph

Final

J. Zappia 5.784 @ 252.10 mph def. P. Kapiris 5.814 @ 248.61 mph