Transponder error sees British title virtually up in smoke

Riki Christodoulou’s hopes of a 2004 ICA British Championship title took a major dent at Lydd on Sunday after a mistake with the 15 year old’s transponder during qualifying meant that he was forced to come back from the rear of the grid and barely was able to register points.

 ‘Christo’ claimed 8th position in the second of the two finals held at the venue in Kent but the qualifying heats as well as the first main race of the day were instantly forgettable.

As a result of the mishap and subsequent result nightmare (Christo was bogged down in traffic right through the Semi-Finals and the Final races themselves, taking a DNF in the first main event of the day) the 2003 JICA Champion has lost a lot of ground in the standings with three meetings left to run. Dropping two places down from fifth to seventh Christo now trails series leader Jon Lancaster by 33 points and needs his rivals to also experience some poor luck. 

“The mistake with the transponder was disappointing but we tried to make the best of it,” reflected the driver. “I just about got through the Semis after coming from the back and started the first final in 12th. I got involved in a crash while trying to pass some drivers and that ended the race.

“In the second final I again had to set-off from the rear of the grid. I was making the same laptimes as the leaders and got up to sixth but had another bump that bent the steering column, which meant that I dropped off the pace and could only take eighth. It’s true that the Championship is looking difficult now but I am optimistic that we can still do very well. We have to go to my home circuit, Shenington, so there is hope.”

The next round of the British series occurs on June 20th at the Clay Pigeon circuit. Team Christodoulou will be testing next weekend but their next race is likely to be in June.