Max Vidau has surged to a sensational runner-up finish in the Dunlop Super2 Series at Mount Panorama, despite battling a severe bout of suspected food poisoning.
After a positive pair of practice sessions on Thursday, Vidau took ill overnight and faced a daunting Friday programme with qualifying and 40 minutes of racing around the country’s most revered circuit.
It was nevertheless an impressive performance from the South Australian to claim sixth on the grid for Race 1 of the weekend, his best qualifying result since Sunday in Perth. Much of the near six hours that separated the two Friday sessions were spent in the circuit’s Medical Centre.
A healthy dose of rest and exceptional work from the medical team had Vidau ready to suit up for Race 1. With an aim to just collect points, entering the weekend leading the rookie of the year battle, Vidau’s magical start saw him occupying third place by turn one.
Vidau fended off spirited advances from the trailing cars, as a train formed behind the ailing driver. The Anderson Motorsport driver rarely faltered however, his only misstep a brush with the wall across the mountain. Vidau survived the scare and gave his rivals no further opportunity as he raced to his third podium finish of the season. The resilient effort was further rewarded when Aaron Cameron encountered problems ahead, promoting Vidau to second place.
Round five of the Dunlop Super2 Series resumes tomorrow, with another qualifying before the second race of the weekend.
Quotes:
“The day started pretty rough, a 5am start straight into the bathroom and vomiting everything that I had in me up,” said Vidau.
“That just didn’t really stop until after qualifying. The medical crew did a great job to get me across the line for the race. I got in the car and genuinely didn’t know if I’d make it past two laps. When you’re in third place though, you just need to keep battling and keep on going which we did.
“If you’d told me this morning that we’d be here at the end of the day with a trophy I would have laughed at you, and probably half the medical crew would as well.
“The car felt pretty good before I found the wall, decided to just nudge it at the grate and it bent the right rear wheel a bit. It didn’t feel horrible afterwards, we lost a little bit of pace but there was enough tyre in it on the long run to help us hang on.
“I’m sure the boys will get it back in top shape, hopefully I’ll be a little more awake tomorrow for qualifying. We’ll try to qualify a bit closer to the front and go one better,” concluded Vidau.