UK: Sims Named 2008 McLaren Autosport BRDC finalist

Motor racing sensation Alexander Sims has today been named one of six finalists in the highly prestigious 2008 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award -- the nomination capping a truly stunning year for the 20-year-old from Wansford in Cambridgeshire.

Last Sunday, at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent, Alexander produced breathtaking performances during the final two rounds of the Formula Renault UK season to end the 2008 campaign as Vice-Champion.

Ending the championship with two race wins, 12 podiums, one pole position and three fastest laps, the Manor Competition racer also had the honour of being named as one of only a handful of young drivers in 2008 to be accepted onto the MSA British Race Elite programme which is headed by ex-Formula One driver David Brabham.

Clearly a hugely talented prospect with a potentially massive future ahead of him in the realms of single-seater competition, the confirmation Alexander is in the reckoning for the 2008 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award comes as no surprise to those who have followed his season's racing but is, nonetheless, a huge privilege and honour.

"I feel very privileged to have been named a finalist, it's a prestigious award and to be in the running is great for my career due to the recognition you receive", said Alexander, "It's important to keep on impressing the right people and I'd like to think we stand a good chance of winning. I'm really looking forward to it, this caps off the year superbly."

The award evaluations, which will see Alexander have the opportunity to drive superb race cars including a Formula 3 racer, an Aston Martin N24 and a DTM touring car, will take place at Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk.

Past winners of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award include current Formula One stars Jenson Button and David Coulthard, former F1 racers Anthony Davidson and Ralph Firman, F1 test driver Gary Paffett and 2007 Indy Racing League Champion and Indianapolis 500 Winner Dario Franchitti.

Should Alexander's name join the list of famous racers to have triumphed in the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, the young star will win a cheque for 0x00a350,000, a test at Paul Ricard HTTT in France at the wheel of a GT1 Aston Martin and, most spectacularly of all, a test in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One car.

The winner of the accolade will be announced during the annual Autosport Awards evening on Sunday, 7th December, in London.

Alexander, who studied at Stamford School during his formative years at the same time as carving out an incredibly successful domestic and international karting career, has long been considered a driver with the potential to reach Formula One. After today's announcement in Autosport Magazine, he's one step closer to achieving his dream.

Having now concluded his second season of car racing, Alexander is looking forward to 2009 where he is aiming to climb the motorsport ladder into either the Formula 3 Euroseries or British Formula 3 International Series.

Before then, the talented racer will return to the Manor Competition fold next weekend, 4th/5th October, when he will make his Formula Renault WEC (West European Cup) debut during the latest rounds of the championship at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

-credit: alexandersims.com