Paul Manteit and QLD's Volks Engineering built Rapier rebounded from their first round disaster to convincingly win Round 2 at Morgan Park. Manteit clean swept the three races, piloting the Scott Andrew owned Rapier he steered to the 2008 CAMS Championship title. Commenting on the Formula Vee National website* "The car was running really well this weekend, everything I asked of it, it delivered". With Manteit set to debut his own Rapier in Queensland later in the season, his success reduced the points gap from 35 to 21 behind leader Shane Hart.

Manteits only competition came from Hart, with Nick Herford a threat in the first race before health troubles sidelined him from further races (see story below). The duo were inseparable, resulting in some contact on the track (and in pit-lane...). Hart lead the most laps (18 to Manteit's 12) but was unable to translate into victory. Hart's traditional 'QRDA round curse' struck in the final, loosing power suddenly on lap 10 while leading comfortably, an anti-climax to the final battle.

HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS FROM ROUND 2:
+ QUALIFYING, top three within 0.133s. Giant-killing performance of Mike Smith in 4th (an astonishing 1:10.7421 only 0.36s off pole!). Historics all within 0.62s.

+ RACE 1, four lead changes in six laps. Podium trio separated by only 0.74s.... fastest lap going to 3rd place!

+ RACE 2, 6.5 lead changes in twelve laps! Shane's last-lap outside passing attempt at the Flip-Flops is a credible mention (until it resulted in a spin).

- RACE 2 earlier contact between Manteit and Hart... the later loosing a nose-cone and bonnet that returned very second-hand from becoming a mobile chicane for the following cars... some didn't notice the chicane...

- Shape of a certain yellow car's exhaust after the following white car's clutch slipped in pit lane...

- RACE 3 collision of Byron Thomas/Paul Kellaway which saw the innocent Mike Smith launched through the air, DNF of Kellaway and safety-car deployment.

+ RACE 3 suburb recovery drive of Mike Smith from rear to 4th... with banana-shaped H-beam from aerobatics.

- RACE 3 lead battle anti-climax as Hart lost power while leading... (QRDA curse strikes yet again!) Hart limped home to earn 2nd despite the problem.

+ Third to sixth places hotly contested and a different result each race, with Herford, Thomas and John Doidge each claiming a podium after tight battles with Kellaway & Smith.

+ 15 year old karting graduate Kent Cross dominating the 1200 class and even chasing some 1600s to place 7th, 7th and 6th outright!

+ The train of Historic's racing nose-to-tail, without contact... (Congratulations to Bob Roberts on class win).

- 'Driving Standards' throughout the 1600cc class. Blocking/weaving was excessive.

+ Fine weather, decent race durations and getting away early on Sunday!

+ Paul Manteit's consistency... three races with his fastest lap only 0.0613s apart.

+ Nick Herford still being alive! Red Bull really does 'give you wings'...

* To view the full Volks Engineering media release, visit
http://www.fvee.org.au/Members/PaulManteit/news_article.2009-04-29.4355134896

ON-BOARD VIDEOS: Race 1 Nick Herford (starts 3rd)


NICK HERFORD RECOVERY UPDATE
Redefining the term 'Adrenalin rush', NSW racer Nick finished Saturdays first race with a heart rate of 215 beats per minute.... that wouldn't slow for 20 mins! All while setting the weekends fast lap and earning a fighting 3rd place. Vastly beyond what the human body can withstand, "I thought I was gunna die, the pain was so bad", Nick was hauled off to Hospital for precautionary checks and released that night, but skipped the Sunday races.  While still a bit crook and having trouble breathing, Nick is recovering well and is looking to return at the upcoming Lakeside round.