The 2023 racing year at the Perth Motorplex was closed out by their Summer Slam event featuring the local Top Doorslammer and Top Bike championships plus the full allotment of sportsman track championship categories.
After an up and down few races John Zappia took advantage of the terrific air conditions and returned to form in Zap’s Rat. He top qualified with a 5.78 ahead of the Gregorinis who were also in the fives as apart for the five car field. A 5.85 solo in round one dropped Zappia in the final against Frank Taylor where he ripped a 5.66 win.
“We were watching the weather closely and we decided to tame the motor because the air was getting better, it can actually get too good. We were keeping the engine in the safe zone but it still took off in the final! It went 0.958 to the 60 foot marker and it kept on pulling. A 5.666 at 407.58kmh was a tremendous pass, and combined with a 0.007 reaction time we really had some numbers,” said Zappia.
Daniel Gregorini won the B-Final against wife Lisa with a 5.73.
Greg Durak big turbo Kawasaki was number one in Top Bike with a 7.20 in qualifying, Durak continued his strong performance with a 7.01 in round one and a 7.29 win in the A-Final over Kevin Gummow.
Connor McClure rocked the ‘Plex in Top Comp with a 6.37 out of the little Torana to be the quickest turbo car in the West. Jon Ferguson though was holding up the winner’s trophy at the end of night after a 6.37 out of his AA/APA Chevy Belair in the final. While in Competition Bike, it was Daniel Natalotto doing the damage with a win against Chris Allen in the final following three rounds of Chicago Shootout racing.
Vince Belladonna’s mint Supercharged Outlaws Torana knocked off newcomer Paul Bosnjak in his new blown Camaro for the final win the bracket. With the radial shoes on Steve Lundy powered to the win with his Mustang in Outlaw Radial over Brian Hicks. Neil Gannaway was a heartbreaking 1 thou too quick off the button in the Modified final handing the red light win to Michelle Morrison.
Back to the sedans Yvette Gregg had the XE on song with a win in Top Sportsman over Matthew Puglia, Gregg was certainly up on the wheel in the final with a .003 light doing the damage early and a 7.976 on a 7.97 at the top end. For Super Sedan and Kathy Regan gave up a big holeshot start to a breakout against Glenn Sterkenburg’s VR ute in the final. Gavin Donnelly was also wired into the tree with a .004 light in the Super Street final against John Szabo, Donnelly took the Maloo through to the win.
Geoff Smith let the clutch out a smidge too early in the Modified Bike final sending Louise Ridgeway aboard her GSX on her winning way for this event. And Seth Jervis defeated Angel Bakranich in Junior Dragster to close out the list of winners on the night.
Photos by Phil Reeve
