Thomas Hylkema emerged from this week’s two-day official Formula Renault UK test at Rockingham in Northamptonshire as the fastest of Manor Competition’s three drivers while Chipping Norton's Alice Powell continued to impress during preparations for her maiden season in single-seater racing.

The second day of the first officially timed test of the pre-season saw 20-year-old Hylkema improve by six 10ths of a second on his best from day one with a time of 1m15.426 seconds (92.59mph) coming during the final half hour on Wednesday afternoon.

Ending the first day, Tuesday, 24th February, sixth overall with a lap of 1m 16.009 seconds (91.88mph), the second-year Formula Renault UK racer was actually fifth fastest during the second session. On both days, the Dutchman was within half a second of the outright pace.

Surrey’s David McDonald produced his best time of the two days on Wednesday morning with a lap of 1m 15.702 seconds (92.25mph) to go 11th fastest overall on the day. The former Formula Renault BARC podium finisher was eighth overall on Tuesday with a time of 1m 16.032 seconds (91.85mph) – just over half a second shy of the top of the times.

Single-seater rookie Alice Powell, the youngest driver in Formula Renault UK this year, continued to make good progress.

Lapping with a best time of 1m 16.177 seconds (91.68mph) on Tuesday afternoon, the 16-year-old from Chipping Norton was the third quickest ‘Graduate Cup’ runner. On Wednesday, she just bettered the time with an almost identical lap of 1m 16.172 seconds (91.68mph).

Brands Hatch Indy Circuit is the next venue on the official pre-season testing calendar for the Formula Renault UK Championship teams. The two-day run at the Kent track will commence next Tuesday, and will conclude on Wednesday.