Final Round of the 400 Thunder Season

The 2016 City of Ipswich Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway marked the final championship round of the 400 Thunder season. Both Speedmaster-backed teams, Zappia Racing and Spinozzi Racing, arrived prepared for a demanding weekend of Australian drag racing.

Top Doorslammers: Zappia Racing

John Zappia opened qualifying with a 5.82 at 246.70 mph, placing the Fuchs Monaro at the top of the 17-car field. Mark Belleri sat closest at 5.86. The Zappia Racing crew replaced the engine overnight and returned for Q2, where the Monaro ran 6.11 at 248.89 mph to hold the number one position. Grant O'Rourke moved to second with a 5.84.

A third qualifying pass of 5.77 at 237.50 mph secured Top Qualifier, but the engine told the story: rod, piston, and gudgeon pin fragments throughout the motor required another complete engine change.

In Round 1, Zappia drew No. 16 qualifier Mark Harris. Harris was pushed back after the burnout, and Zappia coasted through at 10.28 seconds after popping the blower burst panel at the 300-foot mark. Round 2 produced one of the weekend's standout passes. Zappia ran 5.857 at 243.81 mph against returning local Victor Bray's 5.963 at 243.63 mph.

The semi-final paired the four quickest cars: Belleri vs. O'Rourke, and Zappia vs. Ben Bray. The car started cleanly in the pits, but a brand-new blower belt snapped on the hit, ending the weekend.

"That's the second time this season I had to watch the race in front of me sitting in a silent car. It was symbolic of the whole weekend really, and nothing seemed to go right." - John Zappia, nine-time Top Doorslammer Champion

Belleri and Ben Bray advanced to the final. Mark Belleri took a well-earned win, running 5.796 at 243.63 mph to Bray's 5.860 at 244.52 mph.

Pro Stock: Spinozzi Racing

The Speedmaster Camaro ran consistent sixes through to the semi-finals, where a red light ended the run against Arron Tremayne. The 6.97 at 196.9 mph pass marked a top MPH for the Spinozzi Racing team, and the car posted a faster run in every session across the weekend.

"I can't thank my crew enough. They took it to another level this weekend - outstanding job." - Emilio Spinozzi, driver of the Speedmaster Camaro

Looking Ahead

Both Spinozzi Racing and Zappia Racing closed out a competitive 2016 season. Attention now turns to preparation for the 2017 campaign.