John Zappia lost fifth gear on his very first pass of the 2026 NDRC Top Doorslammer season – He never got it back. He won the race anyway.
Every so often, a racetrack comes along that resets the bar. Right now, that place is The Bend Dragway in South Australia. Still the newest facility in Australian drag racing, it’s fast earning a reputation as the country’s ultimate benchmark — smooth, quick, and record-breaking.
For decades, Australian drag racing has had a rhythm. You win your titles under cold skies at the Winternationals, and call it a season by June. But not this year.
FUCHS Lubricants Australasia and Summit Racing Equipment are proud to announce they have come onboard as joint co-naming rights sponsors of the Australian drag racing legend as he embarks on his final two seasons of racing.
John and Brodie Zappia, racing under the banner of Zappia Racing, recently competed in the 50th Goldenstates, NDRC Top Doorslammer Championship – Round 2, at the Perth Motorplex. This event marked a significant milestone for the team as they welcomed Summit Racing Equipment as a major sponsor for both race cars.
The event was the official start of the new Perth Motorplex drag racing season, with Zappia versus Zappia a hot topic of discussion pre-event, the young Brodie Zappia would make his competition debut, continuing a family Top Doorslammer legacy.
“We eagerly anticipate Brodie’s progression in Supercharged Outlaws. The Zappia family legacy is deeply intertwined with Top Doorslammer, and it’s no secret that Brodie will eventually join me in a dual Doorslammer team. With this, the Zappia name will endure in this category for decades to come,” said John Zappia.
John Zappia’s season took a turn for the better on Saturday night at Perth Motorplex with a runner up result at the 49th annual Goldenstates, the second round of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship.
While he won’t be taking home another Australian championship this season, John Zappia has successfully moved his Dananni Hotshots / Fuchs Lubricants Monaro to the next generation of transmission technology, with near best-ever numbers recorded at the Nitro Champs at Sydney Dragway.
When you’ve had a drag racing career as long as John Zappia’s, it’s fair to say there will be events you would rather forget. The 52nd annual MacTrack Westernationals fits firmly into that category for the many-times Top Doorslammer champion.
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