Menasheh Idafar made an impressive return to Donington Park National Circuit on Thursday, 24th July, as he continues to rack up the testing miles ahead of next month’s Formula Renault BARC event at Snetterton.With just a couple of weeks to wait now until the eighth and ninth rounds of the 2008 season, the British-born Bahraini ran on used tyres for the duration of today’s general session at the East Midlands track and managed a best lap of 1m 09.66 seconds – just three 10ths of a second shy of the 2006 Formula Renault BARC pole position time.Taking into consideration the very hot conditions which greeted runners at Donington today, Menasheh’s lap times were highly encouraging and great preparation for the eighth and ninth rounds of the campaign a fortnight from now on Saturday, 9th August.“I’m pleased with how quick we’ve been in testing this week at Snetterton and Donington, it’s been good to get straight back in the car after last weekend’s Croft races and produce some good lap times”, said the 17-year-old Hillspeed driver.Joined for only the second time at a Formula Renault BARC test by his younger brother Ezra, Menasheh is now expecting to return to the track next week for further outings with the Hillspeed squad at the wheel of his Gulf Computer Services, Ortolan and Gulfol backed car.Following today’s run, team principal Richard Ollerenshaw, said: “It’s been another strong day of testing for Menasheh. His best time was only about three 10ths of a second shy of the 2006 pole position time at Donington and he was running on used tyres and in hot and sunny conditions. He did a great job, yet again.”Provisional 2008 Formula Renault BARC Championship Standings (after Rd7):

1st Ollie Hancock, 87pts; 2nd Johannes Seidlitz, 53pts; =3rd Menasheh Idafar & Isa Yousif Mohammed, 48pts