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Manor Competion -FRUK Oulton Park Preview |
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Tuesday, 19 June 2007 |
Oulton Park Island Circuit, the most challenging and picturesque venue on the Formula Renault UK Championship calendar, awaits Manor Competition this weekend, 23rd/24th June, as host to the ninth and 10th rounds of the 2007 season.
Marking the halfway point of the 20-race championship, the annual visit to the Cheshire track will see Manor bidding for its first podium result of the year and having seen the most competitive performance of the campaign so far from young hot-shoe Alexander Sims at Croft a fortnight ago, hopes are high the youngster’s good form will continue.
To date this year things haven’t quite gone to plan for the
Peterborough sensation but his top five qualifying performance at Croft
was impressive and a solid drive to fifth place in round eight saw him
awarded the THB Clowes ‘Driver of the Day’ accolade.
Alex Morgan surprisingly enjoyed his most encouraging run of the season
at Croft, even though he missed the pre-event test and was also unable
to take part in qualifying for rounds eight and nine due to exams at
the University of Birmingham.
Considering all that, the Welshman still managed to equal his season’s
best result of 11th position in the first of the Croft races, even
though it necessitated a fight-through from the back of the grid – a
great performance.
Kris Loane has been showing good progression during his first full
season of Formula Renault UK action and the Northern Ireland racer can
rightfully aim for a career best result at Oulton Park.
During the second of the Croft races a fortnight ago, the Co. Fermanagh
driver secured his best ever result with ninth position which moves him
to within just 19 points of the championship top 10.
“During pre-season testing at Oulton we didn’t set the world on fire
but we’re quietly confident the improvements Alexander, Alex and Kris
have been making will bear fruit next weekend”, commented Manor
Competition team boss Tony Shaw, “Alexander’s test was cut-short due to
a small accident but we’re confident that won’t hinder him.
“This was always going to be a tough year for us but everything is
starting to come together and we’re delighted with the effort and
application Alexander, Alex and Kris are showing at each race meeting.
They each deserve some good results next weekend, hopefully we’ll all
have a reason to celebrate.”
Pre-event testing at Oulton Park will take place this Friday, 22nd
June, ahead of qualifying at 12.25 on Saturday, 23rd June. As at Croft
a fortnight ago, competitors will only have one 20-minute qualifying
session in which to determine the grid for rounds nine and 10.
The first of the weekend’s races will be held at 17.05 on Saturday with
the second encounter scheduled to get underway at 17.30 on Sunday, 24th
June. Round 10 will also be screened live on digital satellite and
cable subscription channel Setanta Sports 1.
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