The touring car ace will race the VIP car entered by Porsche Cars GB and completed a highly successful test session at Donington Park yesterday.

"My last race was Petit Le Mans in October last year," says Menu. "I'm very much looking forward to racing the Porsche and for me Oulton Park is one of the best circuits in England. I love the track and so to drive a Porsche round Oulton will be a nice challenge."

The pair of races will give Menu the chance to race against his former BTCC team mate and rival Tim Harvey, who currently heads the Carrera Cup championship points. "Tim and I go back a long way," says Menu. "We were team mates in 1993 and 1994 and raced against each other after that. I like Tim; he’s a great guy. But having said that, I will do everything I can to beat him," he admits. "I don’t think he needs any help to win the championship, so I’ll be racing just for myself!"

But Menu knows that Harvey is not his only rival from the regular championship contenders. "I’ve had a look at the championship this year and there are four or five quick drivers there, so it's not going to be easy. I’ve not got much experience with the Porsche. But hopefully I can go for the win."

Menu was immediately onto the pace during his first run in the car at Donington and ended the test day with a best lap of 1m10.5s, nearly a second and a half under the 2003 pole time on the newly resurfaced circuit.

"I'm having fun driving the Porsche," he reported. "It is quite a sensitive car and the traction is unbelievable. The last time I raced a car with ABS was in 1992, so that is a different technique for me on the braking. I've never even driven a Porsche on the road before, but so far I am very happy with the car! The team is very good and the main idea for me is to have some fun."