Round 2 of the 2012 Slamfest Eighth Mile drag racing series in Australia was held on 3rd and 4th of Feb, and the Zappia Racing Team presented the “Crusher” Fuchs Lubricants and Procomp Electronics HQ Monaro for competition.
“It was our first time to Portland” said a laid back John Zappia after the event, “Competition at the regional tracks is a lot of fun and great grass roots racing. We came to the track on a high after winning Round 1 at Heathcote Park Raceway, but every track is different as we were about to find out”.
Two qualifiers were run, and both runs ended up in smoke for Zap. A 4.601 @ 134.10mph set the team fourth in the qualifying order behind Fabietti (4.545 @ 153.56mph), Ben Bray (4.512 @ 149.43mph) and Kapiris (4.249 @ 170.84mph).
“They reckon Portland is the “best little drag strip in OZ”, and the start line proved exceptional with our sixty foot times right on par with ANDRA Pro Series tracks. We had trouble after leaving the concrete and going up in smoke on the asphalt – the power too much for the track”.
“We took a heap of tune out of the car for the first eliminator against my old mate Victor Bray, and the Crusher just laid over for a losing 4.237 @ 168.43mph against Victor’¬s 4.222 @ 164.56mph”.
“The braking area was certainly interesting being such a short track, with several of our runs ending up crossed up and sideways after the finish line. Reminds me of the old Ravenswood days in Perth, where things got interesting on more than one occasion”.
In form Peter Kapiris went on to win the event by defeating Ben Bray in the final. Quickest ET and Fastest Speed for the event went to Kapiris’s final run of 4.169 @ 177.42mph.
The next round is across the Tasman in Launceston Tasmania at the Tasmanian Drag Racers Association’¬s newly updated track on 18th Feb 2012, including concrete start line and new barrier walls.
“We are hoping for a good spectator turnout at Tarmak Dragway Tasmania like Portland, and some great racing from the Slamfest competitors. It is seat of the pants racing with lots of unpredictability, and great fun. We as a team are looking forward to it”.
Check your local guides for television replays of the event on SBS Speedweek, and Foxsports Inside Speed.
Co-Naming Rights Sponsors
Fuchs Lubricants, and Procomp Electronics
Major Sponsors
Striker Crushing and Screening, K-Trans Racing, Elora ñ German Tools, Beta Spuds, Southside Engine Centre, Noonan Race Engineering, and PPG Automotive Refinish.
Supporting Sponsors
All Tools, Santhuff, Victory1, B & J Racing Transmissions, Mi Camcorders, Current Trendz, Crow Cams, Aero Group ñ Avtrac Maintenance Tracking, Legend Boatbuilders, Taylor Tyres, Kounis Metal Industries, Bravo Resources, CIC High Performance Coatings, Aurora Bearings, Soltoggio Bros, and Track-Meter.
