2011 Queensland Formula Vee Champion Paul Manteit grew up watching motor sport on TV and started his racing career like many other drivers, including world champions, racing go-karts. Although starting his career later than others due to funding, 2002 had Paul racing in the Clubman class around Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast in Queensland. In 2005 Paul moved to Formula Vee and now he drives as a factory driver for Volks Engineering in a Rapier 09D. Paul’s main objective is concentrating on the Queensland Championship but occasional he will step outside the series to run a national round and exhibition events such as the VW spectacular at Valla Park and the VW Drags. Paul’s main future goal in motor sport is to keep enjoying his racing. “I don’t see ever making a career out of the sport so to meet new people, have new experiences and develop new friendships is my main motivation”, said Manteit. “I’d like to eventually move to a faster category – possibly a Radical, but for the time being, the racing is the best I’ve ever experienced and it’s so inexpensive to compete in, I’m happy where I am.” Paul took time in the off season and between work commitments to answer ADM’s driver behind the helmet questions. Name: Paul Manteit D.O.B: 5 August 1983 State: Queensland Race Car: Formula Vee Other Cars: Q: Are you the kind of person to have a backup plan? I always like to have a backup plan, that way when the inevitable happens, there’s always something to fall back on. That’s why when I knew I wasn’t going to be a professional driver I took the time to complete an Accounting degree and am currently studying to be a Chartered Accountant. Q: Who are your motor racing heroes? Peter Brock would have to be the top of the list, but drivers like Damon Hill and Ayrton Senna definitely were drivers I looked up to at a young age. Q: Most liked race track/event? I loved racing at Oran Park when it was still around. It was a very challenging track and gave a good reward for being committed. Unfortunately I only raced there once before it shut down. Q: The best moment in racing you have had so far? Probably any of the state championships that I’ve won. It was a very rewarding experience on a personal level, but also to see the joy and excitement on the face of the crew who worked hard all year made it very special. Q: Your ideal non-race weekend? Anything but working or studying. Sitting on the couch watching some form of sport or spending time with the Wife on the farm. Q: What was your first car? Holden VT Commodore Q: When was your last infringement notice and what was it for? Never been pinged for anything – if you can believe it. Q: What is your favorite high? Achieving something you never thought you would, or proving to someone else that you have done something they said you couldn’t. Q: Who is your dream date? Katy Perry – I hear she’s single now too! Q: Which film do you enjoy the most? Probably Top Gun, but I also liked Anchorman, it was hilarious. Q: Is there anything you are afraid of? Failure Q: What was the last book you read? Catching the Wolf – Jordan Belford Q: Name five things that you hate? 1. People who are not true to their word 2. People who talk about you behind your back 3. Snakes 4. Monday mornings 5. Not living up to my potential Q: Have you ever dyed your hair? Nope Q: What did you’re teachers say about you in your school reports? Average student, needs to pay more attention to detail Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures? I eat way too much junk food Q: Do you collect anything? Not really, unless you count the mass of motorsport trophies stashed in the cupboard. Q: What was your worst buy? Probably my first go kart. If I hadn’t started racing, I’d be a millionaire by now. Q: How do you take your coffee? Latte, 2 sugars Q: What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had? In year 1 the school organised a fancy dress day. A letter was sent home to tell all the parents about it so mum and my aunty spent all night making up this space man costume for me. I rocked up to school all dressed up and everyone else was wearing their school uniform – it wasn’t for another week and mum had misread the letter. Houston, we have a problem…… Q: What is the best thing that you can cook? Either Butter Chicken or Shepherds Pie. Q: When was the last time you were really angry? Most likely when I left my last job. They frustrated me so much I had to leave even before I got another one. Final Word: I’d like to very much thank Volks Engineering for their support over the years. John Alder has taken me on and given me the equipment to give me every chance to perform at my best. I doubt I would have been as successful as I have been if I had done it on my own. www.volksengineering.com CNJ Motorsport have also been very generous with their time and expertise on the dyno – they’re the best in Brisbane.  http://www.4wddyno.com.au/ Career Stats: 2002 1^st Yamaha 5 Track Series 3^rd Ipswich Kart Club Championship – Clubman Light 2003 1^st Gold Coast Kart Club Championship – Sportsman Light 3^rd Queensland Karter of the Year 2004 2^nd Ipswich Kart Club Championship – Clubman Light 2005 Moved to Formula Vee 1200cc 2^nd Queensland State Championship 2006 1^st Queensland State Championship – 1200cc 1^st Queensland State Hillclimb Championship – Formula Vee 2007 3^rd Australian Formula Vee Nationals – 1200cc 3^rd Queensland State Championship – 1200cc 2008 Move to 1600cc Formula Vee 1^st Queensland State Championship 2^nd Queensland Formula Vee Championship 2^nd 1600cc Championship Ayrton Senna Pole Position Award 2009 2^nd Queensland State Championship 2^nd Queensland Formula Vee Championship 2^nd 1600cc Championship 2010 Sabatical 2011 CAMS Queensland Formula Vee Champion 1^st Queensland Formula Vee Championship 1^st 1600cc Queensland Formula Vee Championship Ayrton Senna Pole Award (most pole positions in the season)

Kayne Thornhill began racing go karts at the age of 12 and received numerous trophies from different junior classes until he stopped when at the age of 16 to try and get a Formula Vee on the track. Working hard over the years leading up to then, along with help from his parents, the money Kayne saved went into the race car and the family team was able to rebuild an older car and put it on the track for the 2011 Queensland season. In his first season in Formula Vee, Kayne took his first victory in round two at Lakeside in the rain, which was a great moment for Kayne and the team, but the winning did not stop there. Kayne won the second last round of the season with the championship coming down to the final race of the final round. Winning the final race and round of the season closed the championship and Kayne in his first season won with only a handful of points between the top three cars. Team members Dave and Chris helped with the car all season and did an excellent job, along with support from sponsors Oztrail, Mastertint, Positive Quality Trailers and King Bars. The future goals for Kayne would be for him to be able to live off his motor sport. “I want to head overseas and race, whether it is sports cars, NASCAR or open wheel racing”, said Thornhill. “I have a strong interest in endurance racing and would love the opportunity to run an enduro championship with a team”. Thornhill starting in motor sport by watching his step father who used to race and as time went on his interest grew. “I worked tirelessly around the neighborhood and home earning pocket money and proving to my parents I really wanted to race when I was about 10 years old, now I am sitting in my own race car with the help of everyone who has put me here.” After his tireless season of Formula Vee racing, Kayne sat down and answered a few of Australian Driver Magazine’s questions. Name: Kayne Thornhill D.O.B:  16 November 1993 State: Queensland Race Car: Spectre ‘91 Formula Vee Q: Are you the kind of person to have a backup plan? Most definitely! I am currently studying my Bachelor of Commerce at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, so if my plans of a racing career do not uphold then hopefully I am able to find a suitable job. Q: Who are your motor racing heroes? Ever since Kimi Raikkonen started he has always been a favourite. How he got picked up by Peter Sauber and granted his Super Licence only after and handful of open wheel races is pretty incredible. His on track abilities and race craft are brilliant. Q: Most liked race track/event? Internationally Spa is my favourite track. It is just an amazing track with iconic corners and plenty of overtaking places. The track is wide and racing is usually clean there. Of tracks I have raced on it would have to be Lakeside. It has great history and the track is amazing to race on. There and plenty of overtaking spots on the track and it is so fast, just an enjoyable circuit. Q: The best moment in racing you have had so far? Crossing the line for my first win at my second race meeting in the rain by a considerable margin was a great feeling as the team had worked so hard to get myself and the car to where it ended. Crossing the line in the start of November to take out the Championship was also phenomenal, it was just a great season for the whole team to be involved in. Q: Your ideal non-race weekend? My ideal non-race weekend would be kicking back on a beach somewhere, with Formula One on a big screen and the cricket on the radio beside me. Q: What was your first car? My first road car was handed down to me from my Pop. It is a 1989 VN Executive Commodore. Q: When was your last infringement notice and what was it for? As my University doesn’t think it is necessary to have enough car parking to cater for the whole University, I seem to pick up a parking fine here and there for ridiculous reasons.. Q: What is your favorite high? In the race car doing laps, there is nothing better. Q: Who is your dream date? Miranda Kerr. I hope she is reading this. Oh and my lovely girlfriend!! She puts up with me and my racing. Q: Which film do you enjoy the most? I watch a lot of racing films and documentaries. Senna was brilliant; it was a real insight of what it takes to be a race car driver at the highest level, Formula One. Q: Is there anything you are afraid of? Spiders… Q: What was the last book you read? I finished one of my motorsport encyclopaedias, has taken me a while though. Great read. Q: Have you ever dyed your hair? No, and never will!! Q: What did you’re teachers say about you in your school reports? I have been a straight A student all through primary and high school, but apparently I ‘lacked concentration’ and ‘distracted others’. They were right though. Q: Do you collect anything? Broken things off things I race unfortunately.. A.K.A nose cones, tyres, steering rods, clutch pedals… The list goes on; don’t even know how some of these things happen! Q: How do you take your coffee? There is a café next to my work, so I am being persuaded into drinking more coffee than I ever did. I’m on a flat white now, but who knows what the future holds, maybe a cappuccino? Q: What is the best thing that you can cook? I cook up a great spaghetti bolognaise that mum taught me how to make. Others say my spaghetti on toast is top notch as well. I am keeping being a chef up my sleeve as a back-up. Q: When was the last time you were really angry? When I spun the car around sitting second at nationals. Made up some spots but wasn’t happy. Final Word: Please like my Facebook page to support me with my racing career. I am a young driver looking to move up in the world of motorsport, and our team does a lot for our sponsors, so please consider supporting a young prospect. Special thanks to Dave Ellis and Chris Page for their ongoing support with the car all season. Shane, Steve, Scott, Graham and Mum for supporting me at the race track. The car wouldn’t be on the track without my fantastic sponsors Oztrail Leisure Products, Mastertint, King Bars and Positive Quality Trailers. For any more information about my racing career or sponsorship, please visit my Facebook page. . Race Photos Taken by Phil Melvin Other photo supplied by Kayne Thornhill