John Zappia came from 42 points behind to win the Australian Nationals Final and claim his sixth consecutive ANDRA Top Doorslammer Championship. The event - the last and most prestigious of the extended 2012-2013 ANDRA season - was held at Sydney Dragway, with Zappia and rival Peter Kapiris locked in contention for the title entering the weekend.

Qualifying

Saturday conditions were favourable. Zappia's first pass in the Speedmaster Monaro was disrupted by tyre shake, forcing him to pedal to a 6.002 at 248.61 mph - good enough for second behind Gary Phillips at 5.99.

The second run changed the picture. Zappia ran a 5.86 at 250.46 mph to take the top qualifying position ahead of Kapiris on 5.90. A final pass of 5.83 at 250.74 mph secured valuable top-qualifier points and sent a clear signal heading into race day.

"We felt we had a mental advantage over Pete by top qualifying - showing him that we were quickest and he would have to step it up to catch us." - John Zappia

Eliminations

Sunday's track proved more challenging. Eighteen teams had contested qualifying for just eight spots, and traction remained inconsistent throughout the day.

The turning point came early. Kapiris shook and pedalled but could not recover against Victor Bray, who had a 0.030 reaction-time advantage. With Kapiris eliminated in Round 1, the championship was within reach.

Zappia advanced past Sean Mifsud with a pedalling 5.951 at 248.75 mph. In the semi-final, he ran 5.975 at 248.48 mph to get past Phillips, who was fighting the same tyre-shake issues.

The Final

The final paired Zappia against Bray - a repeat of their Perth meeting and a matchup with history behind it. Bray took the tree, but the Speedmaster Monaro surged ahead before tyre shake struck again. Zappia pedalled twice, pulled the car away from the wall, and pushed through for a 6.071 at 246.98 mph to take the win.

"I thought 'Not again!' - so punched second quickly and the car went crazy. I could not see Victor in my peripheral vision and tried to steer the car straight. Not a very good time, but considering I had to pedal twice and pull the car away from the wall, I was happy to get the win." - John Zappia

The result equalled Victor Bray's record of six consecutive championship wins - achieved against the man who held it.

What It Took

"Coming into the event, it seemed like an impossible assignment - having to win the event, and Peter having to either not qualify or lose in the first round. But we stayed positive and focused, and it came together. The team, sponsors, supporters, friends and fans are all very excited with the result." - John Zappia

"A big thank you to Speedmaster because without your support we would not have been able to win our sixth consecutive ANDRA Championship." - John Zappia

Zappia also acknowledged co-naming rights sponsor Fuchs Lubricants, car owner Craig Pedley, and the full Zappia Racing crew for their role across the season.

Full Results

Qualifying: Zappia - 71 HQ Monaro 5.831 @ 250.74 | Kapiris - Dodge Saratoga 5.906 @ 256.26 | Fabietti - 2006 Monaro 5.932 @ 246.57 | Dack - Ford BA 5.936 @ 245.14 | Phillips - Studebaker 5.990 @ 242.76 | Sutton - Corvette 6.044 @ 242.67 | V. Bray - 57 Chev 6.045 @ 236.59 | Mifsud - 70 Duster 6.089 @ 241.67

Non-Qualifiers: Goonan - Camaro 6.101 @ 236.09 | Micali - Duster 6.144 @ 215.62 | Priolo - 37 Chev 6.145 @ 238.81 | B. Bray - Monaro 6.423 @ 176.95 | Dupond - 67 Mustang 6.497 @ 213.00 | Cannuli - 68 Camaro 6.574 @ 210.70 | Wilson - 65 Corvette 6.761 @ 231.32 | Gradden - Saratoga 6.844 @ 216.45 | Bishop - 67 Camaro 6.909 @ 167.45 | Carbone - 68 Camaro 15.168 @ 30.92

Round 1: Zappia 5.951 @ 248.75 def. Mifsud 6.074 @ 243.03 | Phillips 6.678 @ 167.88 def. Dack 11.399 @ 75.38 | V. Bray 6.089 @ 242.45 def. Kapiris 6.577 @ 176.60 | Sutton 6.053 @ 236.17 def. Fabietti 6.181 @ 243.19

Semi-Final: Zappia 5.975 @ 248.48 def. Phillips 6.183 @ 239.95 | V. Bray 6.072 @ 234.49 def. Sutton 6.024 @ 242.93

Final: Zappia 6.071 @ 246.98 def. V. Bray 6.204 @ 233.88