Christo falls foul of race tactics at Shenington
3rd Aug 2003
Teenage Karting prodigy Riki Christodoulou was thwarted in his bid to secure his first British Championship in the Formula JICA of the ELF-Hill House Hammond MSA series last weekend at Shenington for the fifth and penultimate event of the 2003 campaign.
‘Christo’, one of Britain’s brightest young stars on the motorsport scene, was barged off the Midlands circuit while leading the first final and 15 seconds from the flag by another driver, who was later excluded on appeal, and eventually crossed the line eighth. Main rival for the title, Freddie Martin-Dye, moved through unhindered to take the chequered flag and a bumper score. Starting in eighth position for the second sprint the 15 year old battled up to second and had to watch Martin-Dye take another victory.
The overall winner later attracted criticism for apparently lapping at a far slower pace than he had recorded in qualifying and the heat races to bring the pack closer together and create more traffic.
Naturally frustrated by the course of events Christo packed up a damaged and dented Tony Kart after Sunday’s proceedings. However the state of his machine was by no means a visual representation of the determined youngster’s confidence and he still holds a four point lead in the standings that can be extended to six if worst results are excluded.
“Riki is still buoyant,” commented father and mentor Rick Christodoulou. “It was not the result we wanted and he was disappointed right after the meeting but we are still leading the series. Scenarios like this are part of racing and have to occasionally be accepted. Nevertheless if Freddie feels that he has to use tactics like that again then we will be lodging a formal complaint.
I thought Riki drove an incredible second final to get into the runner-up spot and several people remarked to me afterwards what an impressive performance it was. The Championship is hotting up right at the final stages but we only have to finish in front of Freddie in the first final at PF to seal it.”
Round six takes place at the PF International circuit in Grantham on September 14th.
ELF-Hill House Hammond MSA Formula JICA series standings:
1. RIKI CHRISTODOU 478
2. FREDDIE MARTIN-DYE 474
3. JON LANCASTER 427
4. JASON PARROTT 416
5. DANIEL ROWBOTTO 409
About Riki Christo
Riki Christodoulou has been racing as long as he can remember. Through karts, Formula Renault and now in the British Formula 3 International series. Riki continues to compete in top flight motorsport as one of the UK’s most promising young racing car drivers.
