Round 3: Lydden Hill, 10 May

Mark Smith dominated proceedings at Lydden Hill to take the championship lead.

The flying Welshman was the fastest qualifier and also set the two quickest times in the run-off. He finally cracked a grin as he was applauded into the paddock after his second Top 12 run.

It was a two-litre lock-out of the top five as Steve Miles, in his self-developed Van Diemen, grabbed second place after holding off a stirring challenge from Smith’s co-driver Craig Sampson. Fourth spot went to Mr SBD, Steve Broughton, while in fifth it was Martin Webb, who was a meagre 0.05 in arrears with his best ever finish.

Results1 Mark Smith (2.0 Reynard-Duratec/SBD 903) 66.26s2 Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen-Duratec/SBD RF96/MM13) 67.42s 3 Craig Sampson (2.0 Reynard-Duratec/SBD 903) 67.61s

Provisional championship standings1 Mark Smith – 34 points2 Steve Miles – 263 Heather Calder – 244 Colin Calder – 235 Steve Broughton – 22