12:32pm Tuesday 9th June 2009
Ewell racer David McDonald is aiming to record a maiden podium place at round eight of the 2009 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Croft this weekend.
The 19-year-old equalled his career-best Formula Renault UK finish of fourth place at Oulton Park last month, and will be looking to go one better this time around at the North Yorkshire circuit.
Lying one point outside of the coveted championship top 10, McDonald has been in impressive form over the past few rounds and will be desperate to challenge the championship leaders at Croft.
This weekend marks the mid-point of the championship next weekend, where Manor Competition will be aiming to continue the fantastic recent form which has brought the team three wins from the last four races.
Last year’s corresponding fixture at the 2.12-mile tack was affected by torrential rain which resulted in just one of the scheduled Formula Renault UK races being staged, an outing in which Manor finished on the podium with eventual category Vice-Champion and McLaren Autosport BRDC Award Winner Alexander Sims.
This year, especially in view of the squad’s hugely successful outings at Donington Park and Oulton Park in the last few weeks, the Nottinghamshire team is once again bidding for race victory and has high hopes of seeing one of its drivers atop the Croft podium.
Since his return to Formula Renault UK ahead of the third round of the season, Dean Smith has become a genuine title challenger and in just six races he has surged up the driver standings with remarkable speed and is currently a fine third overall.
Securing a double pole position start at Donington Park in May and going on to claim a victory and second place, the 21-year-old Wolverhampton star produced a near faultless performance at Oulton Park last weekend where he claimed another pole position, won both races, posted a brand new circuit lap record and was also named ELF/Atol Driver of the Day for round seven.
Surrey 19-year-old David McDonald (Ewell) equalled his career best Formula Renault UK finish of fourth place last weekend in round seven with a very impressive performance – it’s only a matter of time before the teenager secures his maiden podium and Croft could well be the venue. Just a single point outside the coveted championship top 10, McDonald’s pace has certainly been impressive.
Following pre-event practice on Friday, 12th June, qualifying for rounds nine and 10 of the 2009 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship will take place at 10.20 and 14.05 respectively on Saturday, 13th June, ahead of the first of the weekend’s races at 17.30. Round 10, which will be screened live on ITV4 across the UK, will be held on Sunday, 14th June at 13.50.
2009 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship Standings (after Rd8): 3rd Dean Smith, 146pts; =11th David McDonald, 85pts; 14th Thomas Hylkema, 55pts; 19th Alice Powell, 42pts 2009 Michelin Formula Renault UK ‘Graduate Cup’ Standings (after Rd8): 7th Alice Powell, 42pts 2009 Michelin Formula Renault UK Team Standings (after Rd8): 3rd Manor Competition, 265pts
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