JARVIS EXTENDS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH FIRST WIN OF 2005

The 21-year-old, who has been the most consistent driver in the category since the start of the year with three second-place finishes to his credit from the opening trio of races, finally achieved his long-awaited first win of the year today with a controlled drive for Manor Motorsport, holding at bay round three winner Alex Storckenfeldt.

The Team AKA ace had qualified on NGK Laser Platinum Pole Position but it was Jarvis who made the better start and was never headed on his way to victory after 15 laps, even though the Swede made him work hard for the race win.

Speaking on his victory, and an impressive championship lead after the opening four rounds of the season, Jarvis said: “It’s been a superb weekend and I’m over the moon to be leading the championship by an even bigger margin now.

“This is a circuit with a lot of grip and what happens at the start is people initially get away well but then bog down because the car finds so much grip. I made sure I was cautious initially to prevent that happening and that enabled me to run alongside Alex and get past him at the complex. This weekend has been what dreams are made of!”

Jarvis’ victory makes him the fourth different winner in as many races, underlining the level of competitiveness in Formula Renault UK this year, the most well supported category on the entire British Touring Car Championship package.

Back to the race though, Storckenfeldt harried Jarvis for the entirety of the 15-lap duration but couldn’t find a way past the Manor ace and eventually crossed the line just two 10ths of a second behind his rival.

“I made a little mistake at the start which cost me”, commented Storckenfeldt. “It’s been a good weekend but I wanted the double victory so I am disappointed. With a few more laps I could have maybe forced Oliver into a mistake but the race was 15 laps and I wasn’t able to do it. He drove very well, didn’t make any mistakes and deserved his win.”

McIntosh finished in fourth position, Fortec’s Sebastian Hohenthal was fifth and Manor’s Patrick Hogan (Killiney, Co.Dublin) rounded out the top six. The Irishman did look at one stage as though he may be able to push for a podium finish himself, but after a keen dice with Swede Hohenthal during the middle of the race he fell back to sixth place.

The ELF/Atol Driver of the Day award went to Hillspeed’s Josh Weber (Tiverton, Devon), the 18-year-old finishing in 13th position after qualifying in 19th spot on the grid.

In the B4 Group Graduate Cup meanwhile, Scorpio Motorsport’s Will Bratt (Adderbury, Oxon) was the best of the young inexperienced drivers with 17th position overall - the only one of the Graduate Cup runners to actually score any points.

Provisional 2005 Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin

Driver Standings - after Rds 3&4

1st Oliver Jarvis, 116pts; =2nd Sean McIntosh & Sebastian Hohenthal, 96pts;

4th Patrick Hogan, 84pts; 5th Alex Storckenfeldt, 78pts; 6th James Jakes, 70pts