Christo joint leader of Formula Renault Winter Cup

Riki Christodoulou continues to make great strides in the Formula Renault racing series and emerged from the first of two meetings in the 2007 Formula Renault UK Winter Cup at Donington Park last weekend tied on points at the top of the Drivers standings.

The Fortec Motorsport driver, who recently took his first UK win at Thruxton to cap an impressive first season in the Renault competition that runs concurrent with the British Touring Car Championship, finished both races with a set of third positions. The nineteen year old from Sutton Coldfield marked pole position and the fastest lap in the first damp sprint around the Midlands venue although his hopes of victory were dashed when he slid wide at the Old Hairpin on the opening lap.

“It was spitting heavily while we were on the grid and because I was first into Craner Curves and coming down the hill I had to discover just how slippery it was,” he recounted. “The back-end let go but I managed to control the car and got back on the track in fourth.”

After fighting his way into the top three earlier in the day Christo plagued Hywel Lloyd for third place in the second heat although he faced a disadvantage on the straight. “He basically had more top speed than me so I had to be sharp and use some racecraft to pass him at the right time,” he said. “I moved though OK but the few laps that it took me to finally overtake meant that the leaders had a small gap and I could not bring that down before the end of the race.”

“Overall I’m pleased to be up there in the Cup as it is a series I would like to win and which would set me up nicely for my second full season in 2008,” he evaluated. “I believe that I should have taken a chequered flag at Donington but I am full of confidence for Croft next week.”

The second and final outing (rounds three and four) in the Winter Cup will take place at the Croft circuit on November 10th.

In the meantime former British junior karting Champion Christodoulou has recently been accepted to the British Racing Drivers Club’s Rising Stars programme. The prestigious BRDC society was inaugurated back in 1928 and now boasts 900 members although entry to the club is strict and by means of selection. The Rising Stars scheme offers a platform for young racing talent and the drivers invited to apply for membership face a vetting process.

Based at Silverstone and synonymous with the British Grand Prix, the BRDC has been connected with most of the famous names in Motorsport for more than half a century.

“It is an honour and a great thing for my CV,” said Riki, who needed to attend an interview at the GP venue. “There are a few benefits such as use of the BRDC facilities if we need to show some sponsors around and tickets for the F1 GP, but the main thing is being selected as a member and to join a long tradition.”

Category: News