“CHRISTO” REIGNS SUPREME ON “HOME SOIL” IN CHARITY KART RACE
18th Jan 2010
Riki Christodoulou has got his 2010 season off to a flying start after winning a kart race in aid of charity on “home” soil for a second consecutive year.
The 21-year-old from Sutton Coldfield led his “Loose Cannons” team to a slender 0.509-secs victory in the 77-lap race at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre on Friday evening (15 Jan).
“Christo”, who finished fifth in his maiden British Formula Three Championship season and won the “Rookie Award” last year, also won the corresponding Racing4 Charity race 12 months ago.
“The last eight minutes were crazy”, commented Riki. “We were under pressure having won it last year and it was a close run affair right up until the chequered flag.”
Having qualified 12th on the 26-kart grid, “Christo” and fellow professional motor racing drivers Duncan Tappy, Paul Rees and Will Stevens plus two members of the public, Dave Fry and Shaun Traynor, swept their Loose Cannons team hit the front on lap six leading 19 of the opening 28-laps.
“Paul [Rees] led from lap 56 but then was held up in traffic allowing my cousin, Adam, to catch us up and snatch the lead with eight laps to run. I was hanging over the pit wall screaming and waving Paul on for inspiration!
“Paul re-took Adam before getting bumped out of the lead at the hairpin with one minute remaining but then the race was stopped when crash barriers flew through the air due to other multiple accidents. Rules stipulate results are decided on the lap before the red flag so that meant we’d won – again!”
The race featuring ex-Formula One drivers and some of the world’s leading sportscar drivers was part of the annual Autosport International Show and raised almost £60,000 for Malaria No More UK.
Meanwhile “Christo” is continuing to work towards his 2010 race programme. He added: “We’re in talks to get a budget for this season but it’s a slow process. I have to be patient but it’s hard. I still need major backing and investments to help me to race this year but there a lot of driver’s in the same situation due to the economic climate.”
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.
