Ryan Lewis consolidated his lead in the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship with a victory in race one and a remarkable recovery to third from the back of the grid in the second race at Croft yesterday. The 20 year-old, who started the first race from his fourth pole position of the year, had an easy run to the flag to take his fourth consecutive victory in the series, ahead of his main series rivals Stephen Jelley and Barton Mawer.

The day's second race though, in which he was forced to start from the back following a technical infringement, saw him carve his way through to take another podium finish and gain another fastest lap. At the start the BES T-Sport Dallara Mugen-Honda driver gained two places and following a first lap safety car period, was right on the tail of the others, as he fought his way through to take third at the flag, harrying second placed Jelly and eventual race winner Mawer right to the end.

“I'm reasonably happy with the overall results,” said Ryan. “It would have been nice to have had another win in the second race but considering I had to start from the back, third isn't bad. With two fastest laps too, I've extended my lead in the points table and it's great to have another podium finish.”

Race 1 results

1. RYAN LEWIS BES Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 23:17.317
2. Stephen Jelley Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 23:17.874
3. Barton Mawer Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 23:28.514
4. Vasilije Calasan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 23:34.963
5. Adam Langley-Khan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 23:52.019

Fastest Lap: RYAN LEWIS 1:16.382 100.24mph (161.33 kph)

Race 2 results

1. Barton Mawer Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 28:24.507
2. Stephen Jelley Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 28:25.467
3. RYAN LEWIS BES Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 28:25.987
4. Vasilije Calasan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 28:27.904
5. Adam Langley-Khan Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 28:57.741
6. Ajit Kumar Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 28:31.431

Fastest Lap: RYAN LEWIS 1:16.728 99.79mph (160.60 kph)

Avon Tyres British Scholarship Points after 5 rounds

1. RYAN LEWIS 96
2. Stephen Jelley 69
3. Barton Mawer 59
4. Vasilije Calasan 38
4. Adam Langley-Khan 38
6. Ajit Kumar 24

Ref: ml00080
2 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