John Zappia claimed an unprecedented tenth consecutive ANDRA Top Doorslammer Series title with his Fuchs Holden Monaro at Perth Motorplex's Westernationals, adding to his record in one of Australian drag racing's most competitive categories. Winning the Westernationals on home turf was an added result.

Championship Sealed Early

After qualifying in top position with a 5.74-second pass, Zappia was positioned to clinch the championship during Sunday's eliminations if points rival Mark Belleri exited early. When Belleri withdrew after engine damage, the title was confirmed before first round.

"To wrap up the title with one event remaining is a real accomplishment for the Fuchs team and ten straight championships feels great. It is good for my crew, my sponsors, all the people who help us do what we do and contribute in any way." - John Zappia

Reaching double digits in consecutive titles was a priority from the start of the season.

"There has been a lot of events on this season in the ANDRA Top Doorslammer and 400 Thunder Pro Slammer series. We were focused on the ANDRA championship because we were after those ten in a row and we didn't want to spread ourselves too thin. It was too big of a milestone not to concentrate on." - John Zappia

Qualifying in Difficult Conditions

The Westernationals brought unusually tropical conditions to Perth, with high heat and humidity at a venue normally known for favourable air quality.

"It was one of the hottest, most humid weekends we have ever raced at. The air started around 4000 feet with 85% humidity and it dropped a little bit over the day but was still pretty bad." - John Zappia

The first qualifying pass used the 5.71 tune-up from the Goldenstates, but conditions demanded a more conservative approach. The car rattled hard and bounced the rear wheels off the ground. Zappia pedalled it to a 5.98, placing third after the opening session.

For the second session, a different set of Hoosier tyres and a backed-off clutch setting produced the 5.74 at 251 mph that put the Fuchs Monaro at the top of the qualifying order - a result that surprised even the team given the conditions.

Pre-event preparation included replacing all hoses on the car with Speedflow's lightweight crimped units, saving four pounds.

The third qualifying session was postponed to Sunday morning due to oildowns running the track to curfew. Zappia opted to sit out, focusing instead on maintenance for eliminations.

Eliminations

With Belleri's withdrawal, Kelvin Lyle - whose Ford Mustang Zappia had been helping develop - re-entered the field and drew the Fuchs Monaro in the first round.

"I worked with Kelvin and looked at the data and put a tune up in to get him into the fives for the 7.30 shootout for non-qualifiers. Then after that we had a phone call saying Belleri had pulled out and Kelvin was in." - John Zappia

Neither driver held back. Lyle took the starting line with a .040 reaction time to Zappia's .073, and it took all of Zappia's 5.77 to get past Lyle's personal best 6.000 - just missing a first five-second pass. Zappia also recorded a new personal best speed of 256.7 mph, though the car's drift toward the centre line may have contributed to the reading.

"The car launched and went to the right and I punched second gear, missing the centre line by four inches. It was a bit too close for comfort." - John Zappia

The semi-final was a non-contest when Paul Cannuli had starting difficulties in the Sean Mifsud Duster. Zappia ran a 5.79 with a slightly early shut-off after spotting something spraying on the windscreen.

For the final against Frank Mamone, the team adjusted the suspension to keep the Fuchs Monaro centred and stepped up the horsepower to match the improving track.

"It went to the right a little again but nowhere near as much and we got the win with a 5.72. There is a bit left in the car yet, we had everything on the safe side as we did some engine damage the week before. But we didn't lose much performance for the gains in reliability, especially considering the weather." - John Zappia

What Comes Next

Zappia heads next to the ANDRA Grand Finals at Adelaide International Raceway before returning to Perth Motorplex for the Motorplex Grand Final.