Ryan Lewis now needs just four points to clinch the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship after taking third place in today's Round 17 at Silverstone. A rare error early on in the race dropped the 20 year-old down the order, but his main series rival Stephen Jelley was forced into retirement on the opening lap, enabling Ryan to extend his series lead to 122 points.

Starting from second on the grid, the reigning FPA Champion struggled with wheelspin off the grid, although he quickly recovered to take the lead before the end of the first lap. As the youngster set after the championship class cars in front, a mistake at Priory caught him out and he was sent off backwards into the gravel track.

He rejoined the circuit though almost a lap down and in fourth place but managed to maintain his pace and post the fastest lap, despite a deranged rear wing. With five laps to go he was elevated to third after the demise of Ronayne O'Mahony and was delighted to take 13 points from the race and put himself into a championship winning position for this afternoon's second race.

“I had too much wheelspin at the start,” said Ryan, “But fortunately Stephen missed a gear too so I was able to the get the jump on him and got alongside Lars (Sexton) going into Copse and got a better exit than him to take the place. I didn't catch up with James (Winslow) until the exit of Stowe where I got a much better line than him and went straight up the inside of him at Vale. After that I just got my head down but the championship cars in front of me were battling a bit and I had to back off and when they pulled away again I went for it to try and catch them again. But when I got to Priory, I just understeered off the track, caught the grass and that sent me backwards into the gravel. Overall though I'm happy with the result, now I'll just have to go for it this afternoon to try and lift the title.”

The day's second race takes place this afternoon at 15.15.

Results for Round 17
1. Vasilije Calasan Dallara Mugen-Honda 27:23.728
2. Lars Sexton Dallara Mugen-Honda 27:58.955
3. RYAN LEWIS BES Dallara Mugen-Honda 26:47.837

Fastest lap: RYAN LEWIS 1:47.868 106.59mph 171.55kph

Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship Points after 17 rounds
1. RYAN LEWIS 303
2. Stephen Jelley 181
3. Vasilije Calasan 137
4. Barton Mawer 134
5. Adam Khan 78
6. Ajit Kumar 70
7. Ronayne O'Mahony 42

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

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15 August 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