Port Macquarie’s well loved local and powerboat racer Michael Page was given the opportunity of a lifetime when he was offered to be the driver of David Trasks brand new Mercury Optimax 200xs powered boat in last weekend’s round of the Australian Formula Power Boat Series.
Michael’s Taree based crew were concerned that Page would not be able to offer the best performance in his Cullen’s Carpet One sponsored rig, but has made good of his promise to his normal F2 crew to not let them down.
The boat hit the water for the first time Saturday morning with a nervous Page at the wheel and the whole pit paddock looking on. Page set about learning the ropes in the new Formula One boat and after a few laps he was turning in respectable lap times to be the quickest of the 3 Optimax boats reaching speeds in excess of 200km/h.
Michael’s weekend ended on a perfect note after setting pole 2 in each of the F1 and F2 classes and finishing with three first places in F2 to take out the weekend and lead the series again. He also finished second in F1 for the weekend after a strong performance with two second places and a third.
“This was the best drive of my career so far and the most rewarding as both classes had their strongest fields in years,” Page said following the presentations.
Page now looks forward to the upcoming competition round 3 in Wagga this coming June.
All images can be viewed at www.nashyspix.com – official photographer of the Australian Formula Power Boat Series.
