Ewell racer David McDonald produced his best performance so far in the 2009 Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Thruxton Circuit on Sunday, 26th April, with a battling top eight finish during the fourth round of the campaign.

On a mixed weekend for Nottinghamshire based Manor Competition, McDonald produced the highlight performance during Sunday afternoon’s encounter as part of a close-run race with team newcomer, and championship returnee, Dean Smith and Dutch team-mate Thomas Hylkema.

Climbing into the top eight from 20th on the grid, 19-year-old McDonald was in great form and just shaded 2007 Formula Renault UK Vice-Champion Smith by nine 10ths of a second at the chequered flag on lap 19.

It was a good response from McDonald who, at the start of Saturday’s race, had collided with the pit wall after contact between several cars off the line resulted in an incident that also saw Hylkema’s race end prematurely.

Team boss Tony Shaw said: “It was such a shame for David and Thomas to be involved in the start-line collision in the first race but David’s performance in race two was excellent.”

Manor Competition’s next outing will come during a two-day official Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship test at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on Wednesday, 6th May, and Thursday, 7th May.

Donington Park National Circuit in Leicestershire is then scheduled to host rounds five and six of the 2009 season over the weekend 16th/17th May.