Christo stuns the opposition at British series opener

Genikart driver Riki Christodoulou completed an authoritative clean sweep at the Three Sisters circuit in Wigan today for the opening round of the 2006 Formula A Renault Elf B4 S1 British Championship.

The 17 year old guided his Fernando Alonso Kart to victory in both of the Formula A finals (the highest category in the sport) and was only denied a remarkable 100% performance by a technical problem in the first qualification heat.
‘Christo’ based in Sutton Coldfield and backed by Alpinestars, was fastest in the timed session, won the second qualification heat, started from pole for Final 2 and celebrated his first double since Shenington in 2004.

An axle worked itself loose while he was leading the first heat and caused his brakes to malfunction meaning that he dropped to 8th position. Unhampered in the second sprint he gave his rivals a preview of the race finals by confidently defeating Litchfield on the last lap.

Christodoulou cut through to the front of the pack by the second lap in the first final of the season and was followed by Litchfield. The teenager was able to gently pull away and then provided a repeat showing in the second race, clocking his second fastest lap of the afternoon on the way to the chequered flag.

“I felt good throughout testing yesterday and I knew I would be among the fastest,” he said. “I was confident, and this set up a decent weekend. The problem with the axle didn’t help and then I couldn’t get my speed going in the second heat; the engine would not pull but I stayed with Mark and was able to pass him going through the straight on the last lap.”

“I started fourth for the first final and pipped Litchfield for the lead. I was at the front for 15 laps and was happy because my times were consistent. I pulled away a few tenths at a time. I knew I needed a good start in the second Final and pushed really hard in the first few laps to break the tow. After that it was straightforward.”

“We had some results that have not really shown our speed in the pre-season races so far but this was a great way to start the British Championship,” he added.

The 2003 Junior British Champ is acknowledged as one of the fastest drivers in Europe and with his alliance with the Tony Kart-supported Spanish Genikart crew now has a potent race kit to fully display his potential.

Round two will take place at Riki’s home circuit of Shenington on April 29th/30th in the meantime he will travel to La Conca this week for the first meeting of the Italian Championship.

Category: News