Nottinghamshire-based Formula Renault UK title contenders Manor Competition enjoyed a highly productive test session at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit today, the venue for the opening two rounds of the 2007 season, with Alexander Sims once again confirming his status as a true star in the making.The Peterborough driver, who celebrates his 19th birthday on Thursday (15th March), started the day well and by the end of the morning session he had posted the second fastest time with a lap of 44.152 seconds.Sims then produced a similarly rapid performance throughout the afternoon but although having shaved a further five 100ths of a second off his quickest time of the morning to set a new best of 44.100 seconds (97.845mph), the multiple karting champion did slip to third spot overall on combined times.“Alexander has been strong once again today and unquestionably has the pace to be a consistent challenger at the front this season”, said Manor boss Tony Shaw, “He’s doing a terrific job but we know we need to find another couple of 10ths of a second to ensure he’s in the best position possible.”Welsh pairing Alex Morgan and Richard Singleton were both very evenly matched by the end of the day’s testing, the latter just shading his countryman by two 1,000ths of a second on combined times.Morgan’s best of 44.388 seconds came during the first of the day’s two sessions, the Birmingham-based student suffering from terrible traffic throughout the afternoon, while Singleton improved by two 10ths of a second during the second session to move within three 10ths of a second of Sims.Northern Irishman Kris Loane, meanwhile, endured a fairly miserable day which came to a premature conclusion following an engine failure, and subsequent fire, midway through the morning test session. Loane’s best time prior to the problem was a lap of 44.585 seconds but after surveying the damage to his car, a team decision was taken to curtail his involvement in the track action and ensure his charge is repaired to the highest standards in time for next week’s final outing of the pre-season at Oulton Park Island Circuit.“It was obviously a real shame when Kris’ engine let-go”, explained Shaw, “Like Alex and Richard, Kris has been progressing well and he was looking forward to building on the great showing he had at Snetterton last week. These things happen though sometimes.“Taking the engine problem out of the equation, as a team we did have a productive test and we’re confident we’re developing a competitive package. With the weather being so pleasant today, conditions were ideal to get plenty of work done ahead of the first race of the year which, of course, will also be at Brands Hatch.”

Oulton Park Island Circuit in Cheshire will host the final official Formula Renault UK test of the pre-season next Wednesday, 21st March, ahead of the opening two rounds of the year at Kent’s Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 31st March/1st April.