Zappia blasts day two of Winternationals with quickest Doorslammer pass in Australia
9 June 2012
Perfect weather greeted an excited crowd at day two of the 2012 FUCHS Winternationals at Willowbank Raceway today, with Australia’s largest drag racing event now well and truly underway at Queensland’s premier drag racing facility.
Today hosted the first two of four qualifying rounds for Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Top Bike and Pro Stock Motorcycle, and the second and third qualifying outings for Pro Stock. Tomorrow will see two more qualifying rounds played out for all of the Pro Series brackets except for Pro Stock, which will enjoy their first round of racing after the bracket’s final round of qualifying earlier in the day.
Leading their fields to tomorrow’s final qualifying battles are Phil Read (Top Fuel), John Zappia (Top Doorslammer), Adam Marchant (Top Alcohol), Chris Matheson (Top Bike), Phil Howard (Pro Stock Motorcyle) and Denis Whiting (Pro Stock).
John Zappia blazed to the top of timesheets during his bracket’s second qualifying round with the quickest Top Doorslammer pass in Australia when he clocked the timers at 5.750 seconds at 250.78 miles per hour.
“We are pretty happy with that, to set the quickest Top Doorslammer pass in Australia tonight, and we will be looking to back it up tomorrow with a similar effort,” said Zappia.
“The main goal is to make it go down the track nice and smooth, not at all like our first qualifying run today where we got real sideways and I had to pedal it – even then it was still good enough for second on the qualifying order at that time!
“As far as the championship – we need to win the second round to guarantee it so that is what we are focusing on, there are a few other scenarios as well but that is what we need to lock it down no matter what else happens.
“To be shooting for our fifth title in a row, and in our sponsor FUCHS’ first Winternationals, it is a lot of pressure. I really want to be able to deliver for them, and for Procomp, Striker Crushing and Screening, Elora Tools, K-Trans, Beta Spuds and of course my team. It has been fantastic so far, except for that first run!”
Former three time Top Fuel champ Phil Read found himself on the top of the qualifying timesheets with a 4.676s pass at 296.63mph. Even so, Read was looking for more.
“We were aiming for better in that pass, but we dropped some cylinders and didn’t quite make it, but we are still happy to be on top so far heading into day two of qualifying,” said Read.
“We will do all the usual maintenance overnight and turn our thoughts towards tomorrow and making it nice and consistent, we haven’t been racing much this season due to the lack of corporate support and looking forward we can’t see us racing much more if we can’t get a corporate backer on board, so we want to make this weekend count.
“We really want to go after the event win, it would be the perfect way to say thank you to the guys that have got us here this weekend - Santo Rapisarda has been a big help as has Uplift Cranes, Champion, Valvoline and our team, hopefully we can put on a good show tomorrow and especially on Monday for them!”
It wasn't just traditional drag racing vehicles keeping the crowd entertained today either, with two Pro Gearbox Championship go karts from the CIK Stars of Karting Series taking to the track, steered by Tekno Autosports V8 Supercar driver Michael Patrizi and Pro Gearbox Championship Kyle Ensbey.
For full results from today's action please click here.
The FUCHS Winternationals is Australia’s largest drag racing event and the finale of the championship seasons for all brackets including the popular ANDRA Pro Series racers of Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Top Alcohol, Top Bike, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle.
The ontrack action will continue tomorrow from 8.30am, with the Pro Series brackets returning to the quarter-mile for their final qualifying rounds from 12.00pm until approximately 5.00pm. Monday will then kick off from 8.30am with the finals for all brackets to be run and won by the end of the day.
The action will not be confined to the quarter-mile however, with family entertainment, trade shows and plenty of action in the pits for the whole family, children 13 and under gain free entry. For more information, schedules and entry lists please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au or visit Willowbank Raceway on Facebook by searching for Willowbank Raceway.
EVENT INFORMATION: FUCHS Winternationals: 8-11 June 2012
For more information, full race schedules or to purchase tickets please visit www.willowbankraceway.com.au
Feature racing from Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock, Top Bike, Pro Stock Motorcycle and Factory Extreme. Racing also from Competition, Super Stock, Super Compact, Competition Bike, Allstar Batteries Supercharged Outlaws, Knijff Earthmoving Modified, Powercruise Super Sedan, Prime Signs/Speed Elec Super Street, Modified Bike, Donnelly Blasting Services Junior Dragster and Super Gas.
Schedule:
Sunday 10 June 2012:
- On track action from 8.30am
- Pro Series qualifying from 12.00noon
- Approximate finish of 6.30pm
Monday 11 June 2012:
- On track action from 8.30am
- Opening Ceremonies at approximately 10.30am
- Pro Series racing from 11.00am, finals for all categories from 2.45pm
Ticket prices:
Sunday 10 June 2012
- General Admission (Adult) - $50.00
- General Admission (Student/Concession) - $42.00 – must show ID
Monday 11 June 2012
- General Admission (Adult) - $50.00
- General Admission (Student/Concession) - $42.00 – must show ID