With a massive 94-point lead over his nearest rival, Ryan Lewis heads to the next double-header Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship event at Oulton Park, Cheshire at the weekend guaranteed to keep the title lead. The 20 year-old from Royston with 11 wins under his belt has proved virtually unstoppable in the 14 rounds held but Stephen Jelley's maiden victory at Donington has served to remind that Ryan cannot afford to become complacent.

“I'm feeling pretty good about this weekend,” said Ryan. “I start it on the back foot a bit after Stephen's win in the last round so I need to get back out there and stamp my authority on it. To be honest at Donington I feel that I lost the race rather than Stephen won it, but that first win will have spurred him on a bit. He'll be feeling very confident, you always do after your first win but I'm not going to make it easy for him to win another.”

Although still far too early to talk of points scoring permutations, Ryan's advantage, which is more than equal to four wins and fastest laps, stands him in good stead as the series settles into the second half of the 24 rounds. Another double victory here this weekend will well and truly settle the score, and Ryan admits that despite the statistics, there is still a lot of competition for him to overcome.

“Stephen has been good opposition; he's out-qualified me a few times now although I normally manage to get it all together in the race. But there's competition also in trying to mix it with the Championship class guys and that will definitely be my second aim for the weekend. I think I've proved I can get up there and I'm constantly learning more and more about the car and driving it to achieve its maximum potential so hopefully we can get another double and a couple of top ten overall places.”

Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship Points after 14 rounds
1. RYAN LEWIS 254
2. Stephen Jelley 160
3. Barton Mawer 134
4. Vasilije Calasan 93
5. Adam Khan 78
6. Ajit Kumar 70
7. Ronayne O'Mahony 27

Editor's note: Copyright free images of Ryan Lewis are available from the website below. All requests for interview should be directed to Cathy Metcalfe at the details below

Ref: ml000100
15 July 2004

For media information: Cathy Metcalfe, MPR Associates, Tel: 01327 352199, Fax: 01327 352908 Mob: 07802 332398, E-mail: cathymetcalfe@mpr-associates.co.uk, www.ryanlewisracing.co.uk