Kapiris Runs World Record 6.07!

By Luke Nieuwhof

Peter Kapiris is the world's quickest Studebaker and the Aussie Top Doorslammer record holder.
Photo by Luke Nieuwhof

At the Quit Motorplex, Western Australia, history was made in the first round of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship. Victorian Peter Kapiris ran his blown '53 Studebaker to an incredible 6.07 to claim the world record for Top Doorslammer. The pass was made in the semi finals against legend Victor Bray, who was forced to get off the noise. For the final, Kapiris was all set to run the world's first five second sedan pass, but a wild powerstand at half track saw him slow to a seven second time card, allowing Queenslander Brett Stevens in the Jack Daniels Stude' to take the win with a clean 6.5.

Victor Bray and Peter Kapiris stage before the record run. Photo by David Loye

Here's the number on the boards, second only to Bill Kuhlmann's nitro-fed 6.00.
Kapiris was all smiles after the run. Photos by Luke Nieuwhof

Kapiris has switched back to a PSI blower this season after running a world record (for a Roots-blown sedan) 234 mph last season. On a Wednesday test and tune, he ran a 6.26 with the new combo. His first qualifying pass resulted in a 6.19, until then the second quickest doorslammer pass in Australia. He backed it up with a 6.23 in the last round of qualifying to set a new national record. In the first round of eliminations, Kapiris faced Ben Bray, son of Victor. The super smooth pass saw a new Australian Record 6.14 pop up on the boards to send the crowd wild. The next round was the semifinals where the magic 6.07 was run, amazing the crowd. It took several minutes before everyone had calmed down, only to cheer again as Kapiris came back along the return road. It was indeed a night that will be remembered by all there.

Luke Nieuwhof
www.wadragracing.cjb.net