Six-times Australian Top Doorslammer champion John Zappia is readying for round one of the 2014 series in two weeks but already has a focus on a new race format that will take place at the Westernationals in March.
Like Top Fuel one week ago, Top Doorslammer have a double header for rounds two and three of the championship, featuring two championship events over two nights, both using the three round format.
“We are preparing for a change in qualifying procedures at the Westernationals,” he said. “Using the three round format, we only get one qualifying pass. The pressure will certainly be on competitors to get in the field, with crew chiefs pondering their options for outright performance, or a safe reliable setup.”
But first Zappia needs to get through round one, taking place at the Pro Showdown on January 31 and February 1 at Kwinana.
“We are aiming for a better start in this year’s championship to give us a good chance at our seventh back-to-back championship,” he said. “The Fuchs Lubricants/Striker Crushing and Screening Monaro will present at the next event in a new paint scheme to showcase our naming rights sponsors in a fresh way.”
Testing for the team led to a few hairy runs last time out, but Zappia hopes those are now behind him.
“We fitted some new parts and had trouble putting it to the track early,” he said. “But as we worked through the adjustments and changes it came together for a good result.”
“It all came together in the last run, with our tuning adjustments getting closer to what we are looking for. Despite me falling asleep at the lights, the car ran a strong 5.833 at 250mph, our fastest speed at this track.”
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