VIDEO – Top Doorslammer qualifying from the Australian Nationals held at Calder Park ~ ANDRA Drag Racing.
The first Australian Nationals to be held at Calder Park Raceway in 15 years was a roaring success with two days of big crowds, great racing and giant performances. It was also the first Group 1 drag racing action at Calder Park since 2014 as the ANDRA Drag Racing Series came to town to put on a show for race-starved Melbourne fans.
John Zappia won his first event at Calder Park since the iconic 1995 Nationals final when he “mowed the grass” and took the first ever Top Doorslammer victory at the Australian Nationals.
In a heavyweight battle, Peter Kapiris got the start line advantage in front of his home crowd but Zappia reeled him in to win with a 5.762 ET at 248.29 mph to a 6.605 second pass at 231.36 mph.
“After last night running a 6.10, running all over the track and a 6.07 it was pretty scary stuff,” said Zappia
“They prepped the track a bit more today and we went away, did our homework, detuned the car a little bit and we just got the Fuchs Monaro to go down the track without having to pedal.
“Thanks to new sponsor Dananni Hotshots, Speedmaster, Southside Engine Centre, Noonan Race Engineering, K-Craft Bullbars, Santhuff Shocks, B & J Transmissions, Engel Australia, Appealing Signs, Crow Cams and Fuchs Lubricants.”
Zappia defeated Mark Belleri in Round 1 on a 5.749, the quickest ever Top Doorslammer pass at Calder Park, before a victory over rival Grant O’Rourke in the semi finals.
