Two Championships in One Season

John Zappia has secured two championships in the 2015/2016 Australian drag racing season. At the ANDRA Grand Final in Adelaide, he clinched his ninth consecutive Top Doorslammer title. Weeks later, a finals finish at the 400 Thunder Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway gave him the inaugural 400 Thunder Pro-Slammer Championship with the Winternationals round still to come.

Zappia reached 570 points in the 400 Thunder series, finishing 139 points clear of Grant O'Rourke. The margin was enough to wrap the championship with one round remaining at Willowbank.

Sydney Dragway: The Final Round

At the Nitro Champs, Zappia top-qualified in the eight-car field with a 5.72-second pass, setting a new track record ahead of Ben Bray's 5.87 after just two qualifying rounds.

Eliminations proved more challenging. The track surface created tyre shake at the 80-foot mark for nearly every competitor, including during burnouts.

"We really struggled with the track at Sydney in eliminations. The dreaded tyre shake was back with a vengeance, causing me all sorts of drama trying to keep the Crusher in my lane. It just goes to show that we can be beaten, and getting down the track is not just a matter of revving it up and dropping the clutch in doorslammer." - John Zappia

Zappia took a first-round win over Gary Phillips with a 5.97 on a pedalled run, received a bye in round two after Rob Taylor broke a differential, and faced Paul Cannuli in the final. Tyre shake ended the final run early, with Cannuli taking the win.

"Best wishes to Paul Cannuli and his crew for that thrash and win. That never-give-up attitude is all too common with drag racers." - John Zappia

Looking Ahead: The Winternationals

The Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway (9-12 June) is the largest drag racing event outside of North America. Eighteen Pro-Slammers are entered, and with both championships already secured, the Zappia Racing team is focused on outright performance.

"The Winters is such a big event, and with the track it is the place to set records. Fans can be guaranteed the Zappia Racing Team will be there to go as quick as possible." - John Zappia

At the 2015 Winternationals, Zappia swept the event: top qualifying, final round win, low ET, top speed, a national record reset to 5.693 seconds, and the eighth consecutive championship. The team is aiming to go quicker this year in the Fuchs Monaro.

To reach Willowbank, Zappia will drive the team transporter 4,200 km from Perth to Brisbane across four states, with the crew flying in to join him.

The 2016/2017 Season

The new ANDRA season begins in the Northern Territory with the Nitro Up North event at Hidden Valley Drag Strip on 8-9 July, followed by Alice Springs Inland Dragway for the Desert Nationals on 16-17 July. Top Doorslammers will compete at both events.

Zappia Racing Partners

Zappia Racing is supported by naming rights sponsor Fuchs Lubricants, alongside major sponsors Speedmaster, Dannani Hotshots, Noonan Race Engineering, Southside Engine Centre, and Hoosier Tires. Supporting sponsors include Crow Cams, Reid Rockers, Santhuff Shocks, B&J Transmissions, Appealing Signs, Taylor Tyres, Bravo Resources, SDS Billet, Final Drive, K Craft Bullbars, Engel, Aurora Bearing Company, Avtrac Maintenance Tracking, and CIC High Performance Ceramics.

The Zappia Racing crew operates as volunteers on both the east and west coasts of Australia, contributing their time and travel without compensation.