EAST Yorkshire racer Guy Smith extended his lead in the American Le Mans Series with his first outright win of the season at Lime Rock Park.

Beverley-born Smith added to his sixth and second place finishes from the opening two rounds with his first victory since Mid Ohio last August.

American co-driver Chris Dyson started their Lola Mazda Coupé from pole-position on the 31-car grid in the 165-minute race.

Dyson staved off immense pressure from Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf in a Lola Aston Martin before briefly relinquishing the lead, but handed over to Smith back in the lead with just short of an hour on the clock during a full course caution.

Smith, who set the fastest lap of the race, led by 12 seconds before pitting for fuel and tyres with 52 minutes remaining but resumed still ahead of the Luhr/Graf Lola which pitted at the same time.

A brief safety car period with 20 minutes to run cancelled out Smith’s lead but the Briton still took the chequered flag 19.969 seconds ahead.

The series resumes later this month for the championship’s only visit to Canada and the historic Mosport track near Toronto on July 24. Smith and Dyson start the Canadian race with a 30-point series lead.