The whispers, the hints, the social media buzz—it’s all true! The iconic Zap’s Rat is roaring back to life, and at the helm will be Brodie Zappia, ready to make his mark in the world of Top Doorslammer racing.
Under the mentorship of his uncle, the legendary John Zappia, Brodie is stepping up to join a formidable two-car Zappia Racing team, set to compete in the Direct Mining & Industrial Perth Top Doorslammer championship season, which includes three rounds of the NDRC Top Doorslammer Championship.
While Brodie may be new to the ferocity of Doorslammer racing, he’s far from a rookie when it comes to drag racing, with 11 years of experience at the age of 19. The national drag racing champion from Western Australia has racked up an impressive list of accolades: 2021/22 Australian National Junior Dragster Champion, three-time Junior Dragster WA Track Champion, and the 2022/23 WA Rookie Driver of the Year. But now, he’s ready for his biggest challenge yet, stepping into the ultra-competitive Top Doorslammer ranks with the MAX Plant Monaro, fully aware of the steep learning curve ahead.
With MAX Plant—a leader in Mobile and Modular Mineral Processing Solutions—as his Naming Rights sponsor, Brodie’s ride brings together the raw power of drag racing and cutting-edge mining tech. Based out of Henderson, Western Australia, MAX Plant’s dedication to precision and power makes them a natural fit for a sport where every thousandth of a second counts.
“This is a huge moment for me,” said Brodie Zappia. “I’m incredibly excited to drive the MAX Plant Monaro and line up alongside Uncle John on the track. Zap’s Rat has such a rich history, being the first Doorslammer to run a 5 second pass, and also the car Uncle John won his first championship with. To be the one bringing it back to the strip is a dream come true. I’m very thankful to have MAX Plant on board as my naming rights sponsor; their support is invaluable, and I can’t wait to represent them this season. I’m also very grateful to my sponsors who have stayed with me from last season. Thank you Dananni Hotshots, JK Construction, Pedders Booragoon, Crow Cams, JP Pallets, High Speed Engineering, Tony’s Auto Wreckers and ADR Engines.”
John Zappia, a name synonymous with success in Doorslammer racing, is excited to see Brodie take on this new challenge. “Brodie’s been following my racing and supporting me for years. I’ve watched him progress through Junior Dragster, to Super Sedan, to Supercharged Outlaws, winning numerous State and National Championships and meetings in the process, so it’s great to see him step up to drive the MAX Plant Monaro. We’ve got a lot of potential here, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together this season,” said John.
For fans of Zappia Racing, the wait is nearly over. Brodie’s debut in the MAX Plant Monaro begins with testing at Perth Motorplex on Sunday, October 27, setting the stage for his official race debut on November 2nd in the Blown Alcohol Allstars followed by his Doorslammer debut at The Goldenstates on November 22-23. Zap’s Rat is back, and the next chapter of this legendary story is about to be written!
Stay tuned to Zappia Racing’s social media channels and official website for all the latest updates.
NAMING RIGHTS SPONSOR
MAX Plant
MAJOR SPONSORS
JK Constructions, Pedders Suspension and Brakes (Booragoon), High Speed Engineering, Tony’s Auto Wreckers, JP Pallets, Dananni Haulage (Hotshots), Crow Cams
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Fuchs Lubricants Australasia, ADR Engines, Sander Engineering, Kounis Group, Klik Creative, Taylor Tyres
