Riki 5th at Varennes after second final cancellation
29th Jun 2006
Top British Kart racer Riki Christodoulou took a decent 5th position after starting from the back of the grid for the first final at Varennes in France for the second round of the CIK Formula A European Championship Last weekend.
The 17 year old from Sutton Coldfield managed a highest finish of 3rd from his three qualification heats and had to start from the second-to-last row of the grid but again demonstrated that the hype proclaiming the British youngster as the fastest talent in Europe was justified by cutting a path through to sixth position before half of the seventeen lap distance had been run.
Much to arch-rival Marco Ardigo’s dismay his closest challenger in the title chase was elevated to fifth after a driver ahead of him had been penalised.
Starting from 5th for the second final Christo, driving his Fernando Alonso Kart for the Spanish Genikart crew, was battling with main rivals Ardigo, Fore and Kozlinski and was firmly in command until a rain shower coated the circuit and caused confusion with half of the marshals red-flagging the race while the Race Director waved on for an extra circulation and then produced the chequered flag.
With Christo taking to the podium, chaos reigned as the paddock and organisers were unsure as the final status of the classification due to the flagging mess initiated by the rain. Eventually the second final was declared null and void and the Championship – with one round still to run at Ampfing, Germany on 20th August – will now count the scores of five finals as opposed to six and eliminate the worst result of each driver to formulate the standings.
Although a provisional leader-board has yet to be published Christo now has results of 2nd, 4th and 5th on the European stage and is in with a very decent shout of the title.
‘It was nice to finish the day with a podium even though it didn’t end up counting!’ the teenager commented. ’I am pleased with my drive from the first final as some bad luck in the heats meant that I had a lot of work to do. The Championship is still there to be won but we will have to go for the top step both times in Germany.’
Final 1 result:
1. Ardigo, Marco ITA
2. Catt, Gary GB
3. Kozlinski, Arnaud FRA
4. Fore, Davide ITA
5. Christodoulou, Riki GB
About Riki Christo
Riki Christodoulou has been racing as long as he can remember. In karts, Formula Renault and 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.
Great Britain
