Indianapolis, USA - 14 July 2008: Britain's Ryan Lewis takes his first step into the world of sportscar racing this weekend when he competes in the American Le Mans Series race at Mid-Ohio. The 24 year-old has joined Intersport Racing where he will race a Lola B07/10 AER in the LMP1 class with John Faulkner, alongside the sister car of Jon and Clint Field. 

Ryan has tested for Intersport at Carolina Motorsports Park and, most recently, Putnam Park, where the young Briton made a lot of progress as he continues to learn the ways of an LMP1 car.  

“We systematically went through the standard damper, springs, bar changes,” said Ryan. “Just from that we made a great deal of progress. I also ran some full stint/full tank runs to get used to the whole heavy fuel load, worn tyres situation. It was definitely a different discipline, driving within myself, concentrating on saving the rubber, saving the engine/gearbox just trying not to put too much strain on anything. In a way it was a nice departure from having to be on the limit of adhesion for an hour, but I'm sure it won't be so sedate when the rest of the ALMS field are out there as well!”

“I'm really pumped for Mid Ohio now,” he continued. “I've been out of a car for over eight months now so I'm itching to get back in the saddle. I know it's going to be tough out there against the works boys, but sometimes its fun to be the underdog. My first aim is to bring the new car home with a race under its belt for me and John. Secondary to that is out-pacing the Field boys in our sister car. Outside of that if we can mix it with works guys at any time, keep our nose clean and show that I deserve to be up there with the best then Ill be a happy sportscar convert.”

The Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course gets underway on Saturday (19 July) at 3.30pm local time.

ENDS

For further information on Ryan Lewis please contact Lindsay Morle on M. +44 (0) 7971 481078 or E. lindsay@morle.com