Ryan Lewis, runaway leader of the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship is relishing the prospect of returning to Castle Combe, the circuit which gave him his first ever race victory and the scene of his first championship title. The Wiltshire track holds special memories for the 20 year-old from Royston, whose first ever car race victory came in the 2001 BRSCC T-Cars Championship.

Two years later and it was also the scene of one of the closest battles in the history of the Formula Palmer Audi Championship when Ryan's victory in the nail-biting finale gave him the title from Adam Smith.

This weekend's double header F3/GT event will see Ryan going for his ninth win of the season in his BES Plc T-Sport Dallara Mugen-Honda and after winning the triple last time out at Snetterton, the reigning FPA Champion is looking forward to the weekend with confidence.

“It'll be good to go back to Castle Combe, I've had lots of experience there probably more than any of the others who'll be racing at the weekend. I did most of my training there and of course sat my ARDS test before I went into T-Cars. My first victory was there in T-Cars and then I won the FPA series there last year. The circuit really suits my driving style, and it's the track I've probably had the most experience on so it should be a good weekend.”

Ryan's main opposition is likely to come from the Performance Racing duo of Barton Mawer and Stephen Jelley who currently lie second and third in the championship rankings, but on present form the youngster looks unstoppable!

The Castle Combe event will kick off with two qualifying sessions on Saturday (19 June) prior to the two races, which take place on Sunday.

Avon Tyres British Scholarship Points after 10 rounds
1. RYAN LEWIS 180
2. Barton Mawer 134
3. Stephen Jelley 96
4. Adam Khan 78
5. Ajit Kumar 70
6. Vasilije Calasan 68

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: ml00089
14 June 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