Championship leader Ryan Lewis heads to the seventh and eighth rounds of the Visma Software Formula Palmer Audi Championship at Brands Hatch next weekend, determined to take two race wins and consolidate his 19-point advantage. The 19 year-old, who won at Monza, has also taken four second places to top the leaderboard after six rounds, and heads to Brands in confident mood.

“I'm feeling good about Brands,” said Ryan. “The win at Monza certainly lifted my confidence and I've got a good lead in the series although as everyone in motorsport knows, anything can happen so I can't afford to be complacent.”

After six rounds, it's now Ryan Hooker who has become Ryan's main rival, after Adam Smith suffered at Monza, and both will be looking to claim the series lead. Niki Faulkner though will again step into the No. 2 Team Lewis car vacated by the injured Ben Lewis and Ryan knows that the stiff competition and driving on a unknown track will be tough.

“I've never driven on the GP circuit before so it'll be interesting to say the least. I never had the chance to drive on the old GP circuit in it's old format either which I'm a bit upset about, and I know they've changed Dingle Dell a bit now. But hopefully it'll be a good weekend, I've got a 19-point lead over Ryan Hooker but obviously Adam's (Smith) suffered over the last few rounds and now Ryan's the person coming on strong. I think if Adam can sort out the problems he's had with his car he'll be back on form, specially at Brands and he'll be going for it definitely.”

Despite being just 19, Ryan has quickly established himself as the one to beat in this year's series and has pushed hard in each of the races, narrowly missing out on victory at both Silverstone and Snetterton. Next weekend though the Royston Hertfordshire racer is more determined than ever to extend the series lead with a double victory at the Kent track.

Championship points after six rounds

1. Ryan Lewis 119
2. Ryan Hooker 100
3. Adam Smith 95
4. Stephen Young 76
5. Sam Edwards 72
6. Chris Hyman 67

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10 August 2003

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