WITH MSA RACE ELITE SELECTIONAlexander Sims has spoken of his sheer delight at being named one of just three young drivers to be added to the highly prestigious Motor Sports Association (MSA) British Race Elite programme.Announced this week, the inclusion of the 20-year-old onto the exclusive MSA British Race Elite scheme is a fantastic achievement and will mean a great deal to his career as he bids to rise through the ranks from Formula Renault UK, where he is currently a championship favourite, all the way through to Formula One.Alexander, who lives in Wansford near Peterborough and drives for multiple champion Formula Renault UK entrant Manor Competition, truly is one of Britain’s brightest prospects in the realms of single-seater racing. His selection onto the Race Elite programme only goes to confirm that fact. “First and foremost, it’s very nice to be recognised by everyone behind the MSA British Race Elite programme as one of the best drivers they interviewed”, said Alexander, “I’m truly honoured and delighted to be part of the scheme. We should cover a wide aspect of things which will only help my racing career, it’s a fantastic opportunity.”Offering advice on all aspects of motor racing, both sporting and commercial, the Race Elite scheme will also enable Alexander to benefit from the excellent facilities at the Brabham Performance Clinic which is run by ex-Formula One driver, and current sportscar racer, David Brabham.Over the course of the next 12 months, Alexander will take part in a detailed programme with his first port of call likely to be a visit to the University of Bath’s Sports Development Department for a physical assessment and to receive advice on training and nutrition.“Whether we’re learning more about the marketing side of the sport, tyre technology or psychology, it will all help a great deal and I’m looking forward to being involved with guys like David Brabham”, he added, “There are so many facets to being a successful racing driver and being a member of the Race Elite can only help me develop my skills.” Becoming a podium finisher in only his third car race during the 2006 Formula Renault UK Winter Championship, Alexander went on to achieve his maiden category victory the following season before ending the 2007 campaign eighth overall in the driver standings.Prior to his graduation to cars, the Cambridgeshire racer established himself as a world class force in the ranks of karting. Securing numerous race wins and championship victories across the globe, Alexander ensured his place in the record books as one of Britain’s most successful ever kart racers.Victory the aim at Rockingham next weekendHaving scorched to pole position during qualifying for the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit last weekend, bad luck unfortunately befell Alexander when the neutral cable on his car broke on the green flag formation lap.Costing him the chance of beginning 2008 on the top step of the podium, Alexander nonetheless proved his undoubted pace and went on to confirm such on Tuesday of this week, 1st April, when he emerged as the fastest driver during the opening session of official testing at Oulton Park Island Circuit in Cheshire.While his next track action will come with another test on Monday, 7th April, at Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire, Alexander’s true focus is on the third and fourth rounds of the 2008 Formula Renault UK season which will take place at his ‘home’ venue, Rockingham in Northamptonshire, next weekend, 12th/13th April.He commented: “I guess the aim at Rockingham will be the same as usual, to fight for two wins. I’ll approach the race weekend like any other, do the job I do, work hard and hope we come away with the best results possible.“We’re proven we’re very quick, the problems at Brands were simply bad luck – nothing more. At Rockingham we’ll have a fast car and hopefully it will be a successful weekend where we can claw back some points. I want two wins but it is only the second event of the year, if we need to settle for podiums as the sensible thing that’s what we’ll do.”