The 2010 Fuchs Nationals held last weekend at Sydney Dragway proved to be a challenge for three times National Champion John Zappia, when he failed to qualify in the ANDRA Top Doorslammer field. This was the first time in four years that the team failed to qualify.
“A small fitting failure in the clutch system cost us a place in the field” said Zap, “But as a team we acknowledge that our power levels did not match the track conditions this time of year, and a little more work is required to manage that situation.”
Most teams struggled with the conditions, with unrepresentative passes, and engine failures common place during the event. Fellow West Aussie racer Robin Judd went on to win the event on a solo from Maurice Fabietti, who was unable to make the start due to damaging his engine and car in his semi final win.
“We were pretty confident going into the event. After blowing the tyres off on the first two qualifiers, we backed the Procomp HQ Top Doorslammer down even more for the final qualifier and suffered the fitting failure on the hit of the throttle – essentially locking the clutch up one to one. If you watch the video of the run, after I pedaled, the HQ took off hard and was wheelstanding for most of the run. I could not see much out the windscreen – this car is making so much power now it’s unreal”.
“We tested the car on the Sunday, and managed a very tidy 5.837 @ 245mph with the tune backed off heaps and soft. This run would have top qualified us and if the air fitting didn’t snap we could have been contesting the final – but as they say “anything can happen in racing” ”
“The event was disappointing from a winning perspective – we are used to being in finals. But the season is early, and another back to back Championship is still within reach – we won last year from behind and there are still six rounds to go to make up ground on Judd and Fabietti. We have started each of the last two years with a crash and recovered to win the championship, so to non qualify with a sound car and tune up gives us confidence going into the rest of the season.”
On a corporate level we were very pleased as the car and crew looked great in the new Procomp colours. We were pleased to be able to represent our new Naming Rights Sponsors in their home town, and represent Fuchs at their own event. It was great to welcome Jason and Ken from Procomp to our pit area and look forward to promoting their products at future events. Fuchs also brought several of their clients and distributors to the pit area and were given a feel of the power and noise that these cars produce during the warm ups. It will be great to catch up with our other major and supporting sponsors at the upcoming local events.”
Round 2 of the Pro Series Top Doorslammer Championship will take teams to Perth in December for the Goldenstates Titles. Zappia Racing will present the Procomp Monaro at two local events prior to this event, where they will compete in the much coveted Top Comp blown alcohol championships.
“We have been waiting for a set of new Mickey Thompson tyres, and they will arrive for the set of events up to Christmas. We look forward to presenting the Procomp name to the West Australian public during those events, and continue our development of this fantastic race car.”
