Christo ends season with Winter Cup runner-up spot

Formula Renault star Riki Christodoulou has finished second in the 2007 Winter Cup after last weekend’s final round at a wet Croft circuit in North Yorkshire. The nineteen year old from Sutton Coldfield and former European vice-champion Karter capped his first season as a single-seater racing driver with a best result of fifth from the two sprints.

Fortec Motorsport representative Christodoulou, who grabbed seven podiums and a victory from twenty rounds of the UK championship this year, wasn’t able to add the Winter Cup mini series accolade to his rapidly growing CV after some tyre confusion ruled out his chances in the opening race.

‘The Cup ended up being a missed opportunity really,” he said. “Circumstances arose that prevented me from going for the win and getting the three points that I needed to take overall victory.’

‘The first race started in the wet but because another car had stalled on the grid they went for a restart which gave people time to change tyres. The track was wet but we did not judge just how much the wind would dry the place. A decision was made to stick with wet tyres but it became obvious that those who had opted for slicks were at an advantage as the race wore on. I was running as high as fifth early on but then dropped back.’

‘Christo’ – who set a new fastest lap record in tests several weeks ago at the venue – again marked the quickest circulation in the second heat but could rise no higher than fifth and lost out to Richard Singleton by three points.

‘The year has been reasonable,’ he evaluated on 2007 after taking sixth position in the UK championship. ‘I have learnt a lot but I would have liked to have won more. There has been some bad luck on the way but then again I have also made some mistakes. It all bodes well for next season however.’

Christodoulou will now enter into a testing schedule in preparation for 2008. His first outing will take place next week at the Rockingham circuit.

Category: News