John Zappia is continuing his charge towards a tenth ANDRA Top Doorslammer Championship on the back of a challenging but rewarding Goldenstates at Perth Motorplex.

Zappia and the Fuchs Monaro won the event from the Northern Territory's Scott MacLean, but it followed problems that began in the first qualifying session on Friday.

Qualifying: A Lean Cylinder and a Chain Reaction

All seemed well until around half track when a lean condition in one cylinder caused a chain reaction leading to a supercharger backfire.

"The lean cylinder melted the spark plug, so the spark plug was glowing and that caused the backfire, which broke the blower studs and the burst panel. The motor seemed okay but on further inspection we found a bent rod in that cylinder." - John Zappia

By the time the problem was discovered, the Fuchs team had no time to make it out for the second qualifying session - leaving a do-or-die pass in the final session to make the eight-car race day field.

"Being on the outside looking in for the final session is never a nice feeling but we put more fuel into that cylinder and more fuel across the motor generally, went back out and hit a 5.70 at 255mph." - John Zappia

That pass was Zappia's second fastest speed ever, and the elapsed time put the Fuchs Monaro at the front of the field - set for a match against Pino Priolo in round one.

Eliminations: Repairs Between Every Round

Servicing the engine overnight, the team discovered a slightly bent exhaust valve but had the motor ready for action by race day.

The first round against Priolo appeared decided early when the Budget Forklifts Chev spun the tyres, but Zappia had his own problems when he lifted the supercharger in another backfire.

"That run had by far the fastest half track speed we have had at 204mph but then shortly past half track it banged the blower off and we rolled through with the chutes out for a 6.01. Needless to say this time we got straight into the motor and sure enough the rod was bent again, so we went for a new rod and piston and we only just got the work finished in time to make it back for the semi finals." - John Zappia

In the semi finals, Zappia faced Mark Belleri in the ACDelco Monaro - the two top contenders in the points going head to head. Belleri took the holeshot but Zappia fought back for a 5.74 win to a 5.94.

"The crew worked their butts off just to make that run happen and we were surprised by how quick it went given how much more fuel we put into the tune up." - John Zappia

The Final: Zappia vs. MacLean

In the other semi, Scott MacLean ran a personal best 5.78 with a .000 reaction time. The Fuchs team returned to the pits and leaned the tune up off a touch - careful not to move back into the supercharger-busting zone - while making the clutch more aggressive.

"We knew they were going to throw a tune up at it and go somewhere they hadn't been before so we had to go where we were confident." - John Zappia

MacLean was again strong on reaction times with a .014 to Zappia's .088, and the early advantage was with MacLean until he drifted out of the groove and the Fuchs Monaro took the lead.

"The final was great for the fans and everyone was pretty excited. Scott is getting on to it and cutting exceptional lights that we haven't seen anyone else cut. To go .000 and then .014 is pretty scary, normally times like that are reserved for automatics but he is doing it with a clutch. That is something we need to be aware of and I need to improve my reaction times." - John Zappia

Looking Ahead: The Westernationals

Zappia, who is seeking a co-naming rights sponsor to join Fuchs on his record-setting Holden Monaro Top Doorslammer, now turns his attention to the Westernationals - where a tenth championship could be secured if results go his way.

"We were pushing the engine harder and we were close to the edge of not being happy. We need to find out why all the cylinders aren't happy and adjust things to make it reliable for next meeting. We learned a lot on the weekend and we think that will convert to quick times in the future." - John Zappia

The Westernationals take place at Perth Motorplex on March 4 and 5.

Results

QUALIFYING

1. J. ZAPPIA 5.708

2. S. MACLEAN 5.825

3. G. O'ROURKE 5.871

4. M. BELLERI 5.909

5. D. GREGORINI 5.942

6. S. FENECH 5.979

7. S. ALDRIDGE 6.089

8. P. PRIOLO 6.143

- Bump Spot -

9. K. LYLE 6.164

10. R. MORESBY 6.252

11. F. TAYLOR 6.475

12. P. CAREY 10.625

ELIMINATIONS

Round 1: J. ZAPPIA 6.013 DEF P. PRIOLO 11.473

Round 2: J. ZAPPIA 5.744 DEF M. BELLERI 5.944

Final: J. ZAPPIA 5.713 DEF S. MACLEAN 5.918