Runaway series leader Ryan Lewis ended his impressive run of victories with third place in round 14 of the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship at Donington Park today, after being forced to pit to repair a damaged front wing. The 20 year-old who yesterday clinched win number 11 at the parkland Leicestershire track, had qualified on pole position for the weekend's second race this afternoon but a clash with a championship car on the opening lap, put paid to his chances of making it 12.

At the lights Ryan made a good start to take the immediate lead from Stephen Jelley but a mistake by Adam Carroll at the chicane on the opening lap caused Ryan to brake hard and forced him off his normal line. Marcus Marshall running just behind came through up in the inside and the two collided, Marshall's rear wheel taking off the front wing of Lewis' T-Sport Dallara.

He struggled round to the pits for a replacement and rejoined the track almost a lap down, and on cold tyres lost several places until he set about catching Jelley taking fastest lap in the process, 7/10ths ahead of the eventual race winner.

“Of course I'm disappointed with the result as it's always nice to win,” said Ryan. “But I was determined to get back out there after the pit stop and try and get as high up the order as possible. To get the race fastest lap was some consolation and it means I haven't lost too many points to Stephen.”

Ryan's third place finish and fastest lap, together with victory in yesterday's race has taken his points advantage to 94 points with 10 rounds remaining. The next double-header race meeting is at Oulton Park, Cheshire in two weeks time.

Results of Round 14
1. Stephen Jelley Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 27:13.966
2. Ronayne O'Mahony Dallara F301 Opel Spiess 27:47.064
3. RYAN LEWIS BES Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda 27:10.993

Fastest Lap: RYAN LEWIS 1min27.722 102.5mph (165kmh)

Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Scholarship Points after 14 rounds
1. RYAN LEWIS 254
2. Stephen Jelley 160
3. Barton Mawer 134
4. Vasilije Calasan 93
5. Adam Khan 78
6. Ajit Kumar 70
7. Ronayne O'Mahony 27

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: ml00095
27 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