Ryan Lewis maintained his pre-race testing performance with two staggering results in qualifying for the fourth and fifth rounds of the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship at Croft today, only to be denied pole for the second race on a technical infringement.

The 20 year-old, driving a BES Dallara Mugen-Honda, will now start tomorrow's second race from the back of the grid after post-qualifying checks showed his rear wing to be slightly misaligned. “It was one of those things,” said Ryan. “When we did the scrutineering, it showed that the rear wing was half an inch out of line, there was no advantage but these things sometimes happen. At least it takes the pressure off a bit and I can just go out and enjoy myself and if I win the race it'll look even better,” joked the reigning FPA Champion.

Ryan though will still line-up in the number one spot for the first of tomorrow's two 18 lap races at the North Yorkshire track, where he will be aiming to consolidate his lead in the championship with a fourth successive race win.

“I'm looking forward to the first race tomorrow, the weather forecast is good and I'm feeling fired up for another victory.”

The first of tomorrow's races will take place 12.12, with the second race scheduled to start at 15.30.

Qualifying for Race 1

1. RYAN LEWIS BES Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:14.881
2. Stephen Jelley Dallara F301 Opel-Spiess 1:15.061
3. Barton Mawer Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 1:15.318
4. Vasilije Calasan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:15.423
5. Adam Langley-Khan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:16.474
6. Ajit Kumar Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:19.309

Qualifying for Race 2

1. RYAN LEWIS BES Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:15.113
2. Barton Mawer Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 1:15.257
3. Stephen Jelley Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 1:15.389
4. Vasilije Calasan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:15.829
5. Adam Langley-Khan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:16.775
6. Ajit Kumar Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 1:19.088

Avon Tyres British Scholarship Points after 3 rounds

1. RYAN LEWIS 62
2. Stephen Jelley 39
3. Barton Mawer 27
4. Adam Langley-Khan 22
5. Ajit Kumar 18
6. Vasilije Casalan 18

Ref: ml00079
1 May 2004

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

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