JICA British number one Riki Christodoulou was untouchable yesterday at Shenington for the fifth round of the '04 BTE Lawline/Renault AbkC MSA ICA British Championship taking two wins and placing himself firmly back in the title hunt with one round remaining.
The 15 year old was superlative on his home circuit, posting the fastest time in qualifying and scoring results of 1st and 3rd in the heats to earn pole position for the first of the two finals. The Tony Kart and SHIFT racing back driver then controlled proceedings from the front, leading from lights to the chequered flag for a perfect 100 point haul.
'Christo' had been among the quickest of the drivers from the first lap of pre-race tests and the double whammy represents his best ICA result of the season. Some inclement weather meant that a slightly unsteady drive in the second qualification heat was the only small blight on an otherwise perfect weekend. The first final was won with the minimum of fuss and Riki stretched out an advantage of three to four seconds, continually bettering the lap-times of his rivals and able to increase his pace when required. The second race was a closer affair but the teenager from Sutton Coldfield was able to stare at mainly clear road for the duration.
He has now scaled the standings by three positions to second place and only one point behind series leader Danny Cruttenden.
"It wasn't as easy as it looked," he commented afterwards. "I had to work a lot in the second final because Freddie Martin-Dye was pushing hard. The first race was simple after I had broken away with a three second lead, then I could cruise to the finish. I tried to repeat it for the second final but Freddie was hanging on and catching little by little but he just ran out of laps. My engine was slowing at the end and not performing as well coming out of the corners. I am now right back in contention for the Championship. With the fastest time, pole and two final wins, this weekend was the best that I could have hoped for."
After the Kartmasters meeting this weekend Riki embarks on a well-earned fortnight holiday with his family.
The last round of the Championship is due to take place at Larkhall on 12th of September in what is bound to be a tense and exciting affair.
