The date: - 18th September 2005
The time: 5:38 P.M.
The place: Western Sydney International Dragway
The event: 2005 AC Delco East Coast Nationals
The race: Top Doorslammer Final
The competitor: John Zappia
The opponent: Gary Phillips
The scoreboard:
5.967, 241.97 M.P.H.
West Australia’s favourite son, John Zappia, has re-written drag racing history today with Australia’s long-awaited first ever five-second Top Doorslammer pass. Zappia was competing in the final of the 2005/06 championship season-opening AC Delco East Coast Nationals, when the Australian drag racing family held their collective breath for 5.967 seconds. Zappia had done it, and the roar that ensued was deafening.
Zappia was the form runner of Top Doorslammer at the event, posting an off-the-trailer 6.08 to head the field after qualifying. Although damaging some parts on his last qualifying attempt, a generous hand from Victor Bray ensured that Zap was on track come race-day.
Zappia was blistering in the early rounds, posting a National-record bettering 6.01 in his demolition of Sean Mifsud in the first round, and 6.02 to dispose of Steve Stanic in the semi. Everyone could sense one of those great moments in sport were about to take place, and the stage was set for a momentous final between Zappia and Phillips.
Phillips nailed Zappia on the Christmas Tree, a 0.096 to a 0.210, but Zappia was on a mission, driving around Phillips at the last possible moment. Zappia had beaten Phillips by just 0.017 of a second (5.967 to 6.098). Australia had seen it’s first Top Doorslammer five, and the world had seen its quickest sedan bodied pass, albeit from an Australian HQ Monaro.
Incremental times for John Zappia – R/T 0.210, 60 – 1.029, 330 – 2.655, 660 - 3.939, 193.35 M.P.H., 1000 – 5.038, 1320 – 5.967, 241.97 M.P.H.
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| Zap's blistering run was the first in the fives in Australia, and the quickest Doorslammer pass in the world. |
Speaking to Dragster.com.au after the pass, Zappia was in awe. “What a run!,” John exclaimed. “This is what dreams are made of. I have only admiration for my entire crew, who have worked so tirelessly this weekend after we damaged the engine.”
“I didn’t think it was that quick! I knew Gary was out on me, but I just kept on pulling him back. It really hasn’t sunk in just yet. I came here to win the meeting, but this is just absolutely unbelievable.”
“It has been such an emotional weekend for our team, and I have to thank our friends at Rentco for making it all possible.”
In addition to the winner’s cheque, Zappia picked up the A$10 000 bonus that had been offered by fellow competitor Deno Brijeski for the first Australian 5. In a feel-good-moment, Brijeski drove down the return road to meet Zappia, pulled his cheque-book out, and wrote the cheque for the bonus on Zappia’s tin roof. The crowd were in abuzz.
Zappia now leads the Australian Top Doorslammer championship after one round, leading into the 40th annual Australian Nationals from Willowbank Raceway on November 4-6, 2005.
Click here to see Australia's first five-second Top Doorslammer pass
Dragster.com.au thanks Neil Larsen from Madman Productions for the video
© 2005 Dragster.com.au
ABN - 53 533 992 612
Pics: - Grant Stephens
