When it comes to racing a doorslammer, iconic Top Doorslammer racer John Zappia is in a zone of his own, literally.

Zappia recently recorded a 5.77 making himself the quickest racer in the history of the class as well as the first in the 5.7-second zone Down Under.

The historic run in ANDRA competition was achieved during his second qualifying attempt at the Fuchs Nationals - Round 1 of the ANDRA Pro Series Top Doorslammer. Bad weather limited qualifying for the event to just two events.

On the first run, Zappia grazed the Sydney Dragway retaining wall.

When it comes to racing a doorslammer, iconic Top Doorslammer racer John Zappia is in a zone of his own, literally.

Zappia recently recorded a 5.77 making himself the quickest racer in the history of the class as well as the first in the 5.7-second zone Down Under.

The historic run in ANDRA competition was achieved during his second qualifying attempt at the Fuchs Nationals - Round 1 of the ANDRA Pro Series Top Doorslammer. Bad weather limited qualifying for the event to just two events.

On the first run, Zappia grazed the Sydney Dragway retaining wall.

"I took a chance, hit second gear and turned the wheel expecting it to turn, but the front wheels may have been off the ground and I glanced the wall, and missed my first chance," said Zappia.

Zappia blasted through a wall of a different type during the second session.

"We fixed the damaged headers and adjusted the door, took a look at the tune, and made a few minor changes to try and get in the field," said Zappia. "What happened next was quite amazing. A good launch that headed right a little caused me to pedal and correct, then it pulled so strongly through all the gears, but to be honest when the track officials told me I had run a 5.777 at 250.74 mph I was stunned. I had actually short shifted in second gear, so to run that time - Australia's quickest pass in a Doorslammer - and top qualify in the field was a highlight of the meeting."

A testimony to just how impressive Zappia's run was, the closest qualifier, Robin Judd, turned in a 5.868.

Zappia is amazed at just how far the team has progressed in a year.

"Seems only yesterday we were rejoicing going the first five second pass - and since that time we have been able to knock two tenths of a second off that time," said Zappia. "We would have liked to have backed up that time and reset our National Record, but that awaits another day. Hopefully we can do it at the Motorplex in the Goldenstates in front of our home crowd.

"This season is set to be a cracker - with some quick times coming from many teams, and a few other teams set to pounce later in the season. Now that we have run our first five seven, I am excited about trying to run consistent five sevens as a new benchmark. We made five eights the benchmark the last few seasons, and we hope to be consistent in the five eighths to five sevens and to keep improving."