A famous name stole the headlines as Ultimate Signature Racing stepped up its World Series by Renault testing programme at
Snetterton, with Greg Mansell getting behind the wheel of the team's distinctive orange Dallara for the first time.
The son of 1992
F1 world champion Nigel joined Ultimate Racing F3 regular Ricardo Teixiera at the session, setting what the team described as 'impressive times' despite his dry weather running being interrupted by frequent rain showers sweeping across the exposed Norfolk venue.
Mansell, who has been competing in the US-based Atlantic Series this season, having run in British F3 in 2007, admitted that there had been a lot to get used to on the WSbR machine, but claimed that he had settled in well during the course of the day.
"I really enjoyed myself," the younger of Mansell Sr's two sons commented, "It's a very powerful car that is extremely reactive to drive. It's the sort of car that definitely takes a while to master, but it's satisfying to try and learn it.
"In the morning, we had full wet conditions and it was unbelievably slippery, but, in the afternoon, conditions became drier and we were able to push a bit. The most difficult thing to get used to is probably the braking. I'm not used to the carbon brakes you find on the Renault - you have to be really aggressive with them and it's a lot of fun."
With the plight of the Atlantic Series currently uncertain, the 20-year old is considering other options for next season, and could include a World Series campaign with Ultimate among his choices.
The Snetterton test served as a showcase for Ultimate's newly-formed 'Academy' which, backed by the African state of Angola, encompasses every rank of motorsport, from karting via F3 to the World Series. Each step on the ladder was represented on track in a series displays, watched with interest by invited guests including Mansell Sr and Dr Ana Carreira, the Angolan ambassador to Great Britain.
