His team will enter a two car team of HQ Monaro Top Doorslammers this season, the well known Zap’s Rat and a new sister car belonging to team sponsor Craig Pedley.

“We are still smiling and savouring our championship win here in the team,” Zappia said. “It meant so much to me and all the other team members and sponsors, and the momentum is definitely with us.”

The performance of the Top Doorslammer field stepped up at the recent Winternationals with several teams finding tune ups for quick runs.

“I think some of the other Top Doorslammer teams have finally worked out how to go quick, so we will have to step up a little,” Zappia said. “They still have to learn to go quick consistently though, and at all three tracks.”

The veteran racer is leaving nothing to chance ahead of the upcoming season.

“Zap’s Rat has been totally stripped, inspected and is being assembled for next season,” he said. “The Rat did not really fire at the Winternationals like some of the other teams, but it was consistent. I know exactly what went on with the car, and the changes have been made”.

The second car in the team is almost at full roller stage in Sydney. Once signed off, the car will travel back to the workshop in Perth for final assembly and set-up.

“The new car is excellent and an evolution on Zap’s Rat, with some high tech composites and components installed, Zappia said. “The car is lighter, allowing us to manage our weight distribution better, and has our own chassis design.

“It has the latest suspension and will have the world record Whipple BAE engine fitted initially with a new B & J Big Boy racing transmission.”

The infrastructure of the recently turned professional team is also developing with lots of work during the off season to prepare a new premises to base the team at.

Zappia predicts the second car will be ready to go in October.

“Craig has been measured up for the driving position in the second car, and we will aim to commence his licensing procedures at the test and tune events at Perth Motorplex if the car is ready,” he said. “I will license the car first and make sure it is drivable for Craig to step in.”