Pro Modified Australia’s Slamfest eigth mile racing visited Launceston last weekend at the Tasmanian Drag Racers Association’s Tarmac Dragway, and the good sized crowd of just under 5,000 witnessed some exciting and close Top Doorslammer action.
The meeting escaped potential bad weather which may have affected the crowd size, but the atmosphere was reported to be good by all concerned. Ray Treasure and organisers ran an excellent meeting, and racers enjoyed a relaxed comradeship with each other.
West Aussie John Zappia won the event with a stellar 4.077 @ 191.49mph over Peter Kapiris who suffered shake and had to lift. The win took Zappia to within 5 points of the lead in the Slamfest series held by Kapriris, Zap having now won two of the first three rounds.
The Fuchs/Procomp Electronics Monaro performed flawlessly during the meeting, with tuner/driver Zap tweaking the best out of the conditions and track to take the win, quickest ET, and fastest speed for the event.
“First test pass was a little tentative”, said Zap. “Last time we visited here the track only held a 6.6 second pass, and I was unsure of the grip levels. I short shifted and went through for a 4.38 @ 162mph under part throttle. The new concrete start line and track preparation by Pro Modified Australia’s tyre machine was excellent and by the end of the days racing our data showed us we were still soft on the tune up given the conditions”.
“”We stepped up the tune a little for the first qualifier and a 4.29 @ 172.08mph placed us third in the qualifying list behind Phillips (4.222 @ 176.47mph) and Kapris (4.236 @ 165.44mph).”
The racing format for Slamfest takes the quickest four winning racers from the first round of competition passes, to face off in the semi-final. Zappia earned a semi-final berth against Benny Bray (4.277 @ 172.41mph) with a 4.161 @ 190.00mph win over Mamone. Kapiris (4.188 @ 178.94mph) earned the other semi-final against Phillips (4.174 @ 182.19mph) after some very close performances in round one.
“We drew young Benny Bray for the semi who has youthful energy on the start line, and his hole shot (0.075 to 0.158) almost got me, but the power of the Fuchs/Procomp Electronics Monaro shows up in the second half of the track and our 4.120 @ 189.87mph was just too good for Benny’s 4.266 @ 174.42mph. Kapiris (4.152 @ 176.13mph) managed to defeat Phillips (4.269 @ 174.08mph) in the other semi-final”.
The final was a showdown between the inform Kapiris and the reigning Top Doorslammer champ Zappia, with Zappia taking the event with an impressive performance.
“A great win for Fuchs/Procomp Electronics and all our sponsors who allow us to travel the regional tracks and promote their businesses and products. We have closed our gap to the leader in the series and with more rounds in negotiation between Pro Modified Australia and regional tracks, the opportunity for more of this style of racing is presenting itself to racers and fans for the advancement of the sport”.
“We head back to Perth now to prepare for Westernationals – the next round of the Australian ANDRA Top Doorslammer Pro Series. It’s the biggest meeting in the Perth Motorplex calendar, and we are keen to build on our recent winning ways”.
Check your local guides for television replays of the event on SBS Speedweek, and Foxsports Inside Speed.
More photos and videos at www.zapsrat.com.au
Photo courtesy www.angrymanphotography.com.au
