Donington Park - 4 April 2004

Formula 3 Scholarship contender Ryan Lewis converted his two pole positions into race wins, with two victories and fastest lap in the opening rounds of the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship at Donington Park today. The 19 year-old FPA Champion from Royston, Hertfordshire fulfilled his pre-race promise to start the season with two pole and two wins, to take an 18 point lead in the championship.

“I'm absolutely delighted,” said Ryan at the end of the second race. ”I made a reasonable start in the first race but dropped a place to Stephen (Jelley). I got back in front of him at McLeans on the same lap but then he got me again on the second lap. We both went straight on at the Old Hairpin and I went off wide into the gravel at Coppice, it was very, very slippery out there, far more than it seemed, it was very deceptive, it looked OK and you could go into the corners fast, but once in the middle of the corner it all fell away.”

“I had a little look at Jelley coming out of Redgate going down to Craner Curves, just to pressure him a bit and it worked. He out braked himself going into Coppice and we were running side-side going into the chicane and I just dived up the inside.”

Ryan followed his maiden win with his second victory in the day's second race, held in torrential rain, which was increased to 23 laps after the safety cars was deployed to remove several cars. Despite the atrocious conditions, Ryan chased down Jelley again to cross the line first and establish a healthy lead in the series prior to the next rounds, at Silverstone in two weeks time.

“Obviously I'm very happy, the circumstances worked in my favour this weekend and I'm very happy about that. In the second race it was very wet, I really struggled to see where I was going at Redgate I really didn't have a clue where the corner was to tell you the truth, I just, well had to wait until I saw a red brake light in front. The first few laps were really, really bad, but towards the end it really dried up quickly so I think that helped me to pick up time on Stephen. I had a spin coming out of Coppice but I managed to nail the brakes and it came round again and I kept going, someone was looking down on me this weekend I think!”

The 24-round series now enjoys a two-week break before it resumes at Silverstone on 17/18 April. “I'm really looking forward to Silverstone, I like it a lot, and if I can get another look at the track before then I'll be happy with that.”

Results for Race 1
20 laps

1. Ryan Lewis BES Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 22:40.785
2. Barton Mawer Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 22:41.034
3. Adam Langley-Khan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 21:47.890 (19 laps)
4. Vasilije Calasan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 22:10.257
5. Stephen Jelley Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 22:31.084
6. Ajit Kumar Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 22:28.580 (18 laps)

Fastest lap: Ryan Lewis 1:05.629 107.36mph 172.7kph

Results for Race 2
23 laps

1. Ryan Lewis BES Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 32:40.371
2. Stephen Jelley Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 32:41.250
3. Ajit Kumar Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 31:50.541

Fastest lap: Ryan Lewis 1:14.923 94.04mph 151.35kph

Championship Points after two rounds

1. Ryan Lewis 42
2. Stephen Jelley 23
3. Ajit Kumar 18
4. Barton Mawer 15
5. Adam Langley-Khan 12
6. Vasilije Casalan 10

Ref: ml00068
4 April 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