Will Stevens (Hadleigh, Essex) defended his lead in the Renault-backed Formula JICA championship after a victory and third place finish at Rowrah in Cumbria.

Meanwhile a win and a second place for Oliver Rowland (Penistone, S Yorks) means he is now Stevens’ main rival, overtaking Scott Jenkins (Bristol) to take second spot in the championship with two more points-scoring finals remaining.

Underlining the close competition in the junior Super One championship, the top three drivers recorded an equal fastest lap time in the second final. Rowland, Jenkins and Stevens each posted a time of 47.89 seconds around the winding Rowrah circuit, averaging 48.11mph.

Rowland’s victory in the first final was only secured on the final lap of the race. Starting from fourth on the grid, he struggled for a couple of laps, before mounting a charge through the field, recovering to second. Craig Breen (Co Kilkerry) briefly led from an excellent second grid position, but was passed on lap three by Ollie Millroy (Claygate, Surrey), who led for 10 laps until Rowland made a slick passing manoeuvre at the Stewart Esses.

Millroy regained the lead four laps later and the two battled until the final lap, when Rowland finally stamped his authority on the race with another pass in the Esses. Behind them, Will Stevens moved from eighth on the grid to third after a close battle with Ollie Millroy in the closing laps.

In the close fought second final Stevens continued his charge to the front of the field, passing Rowland for second on lap two, and taking the lead from Scott Jenkins at the Esses on lap five. Jenkins battled with Oliver Rowland in the second half of the race, but ran onto the grass at McRae’s Hairpin on the penultimate lap and dropped from second to fourth, handing Millroy his second podium of the day.

The final meeting in the six-event B4 Group/ MSA Super One championship is at Shenington, near Banbury on 10th/11th September.

Formula JICA Provisional Driver Standings:

1st Will Stevens 466pts; 2nd Oliver Rowland 440pts; 3rd Scott Jenkins 435pts;4th Ollie Millroy 424pts; 5th Lee Bell 403pts; 6th Dean Stoneman 360pts