MANOR CLAIMS ROUND ONE POLE POSITION AT BRANDS

Manor Competition led the way during the first Formula Renault UK qualifying session of 2008 at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit earlier today, Saturday, 29th March, as Alexander Sims claimed the first pole position of his short car racing career.

Starting on a damp track following earlier rain, the session looked to be one in which the top spot on the grid would go to the driver who managed to post the final flying lap and with less than a minute left, Sims posted a time of 44.666 seconds (96.60mph) to return to the head of the times having earlier led the way.

The top few places on the grid changed almost on a lap-by-lap basis throughout, with Manor’s Kris Loane and Henry Surtees both looking strong. Sims though managed to produce the best lap of anyone and the 20-year-old will begin tomorrow morning’s first race of the new season from pole position.

Loane, who was also on course for a front row start, ended the session in seventh position with a best time of 44.924 seconds (96.05mph) after encountering problems with traffic on his final fast laps. It was a real shame for the Northern Irishman as he looked a sure bet at the sharp end of the grid.

For team-mate Surtees, the session went well and having been in the mix as the times started to tumble, his quickest time of 44.960 seconds (95.97mph) earned him ninth place on the grid, the third fastest of the ‘Graduate Cup’ runners.

In round two qualifying this afternoon, the weather again played a big factor in the outcome but this time the track started dry and rain then began to fall. While some drivers had managed to get quick times in before the rain came with less than 10 minutes to run, others were unable to improve as they had planned due to the weather.

Sims was the highest placed Manor driver with the sixth fastest time, 44.323 seconds (97.35mph) with Surtees 11th fastest on 44.506 seconds (96.95mph) and Loane in 13th place on 44.556 seconds (96.84mph).

“We’re obviously delighted to be on pole with Alexander but also disappointed for Kris and Henry as they had the pace to be close to the front too but circumstances worked against us”, said Manor team boss Tony Shaw, “We’re looking forward to tomorrow, it should be a good day and I’m confident all three drivers will be very strong.”

Manor’s 2008 championship challenge begins in earnest tomorrow, Sunday, 30th March, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit with round one starting the day’s track action at 10.00 and round two – which may be broadcast live on ITV4 – following at 15.40.