Chris Lamare (Inkberrow, Worcestershire), the 2004 Formula ICA Karting Champion, has decided to return to the Renault-backed class of the MSA British Karting Championships this year with the aim of defending the title he won so unexpectedly last September.
Heading into the final meeting of the season at Larkhall in Scotland, Lamare knew he stood a chance of winning the prestigious title but all bets were on the immensely talented Freddie Martin-Dye (Shamley Green, Guildford) to return south of the border with the ICA crown.
In one of the closest season finales in Formula ICA history, Lamare won the championship by just a single point from Martin-Dye – the latter having crossed the line in fifth position during the last race of the year thinking he had done enough to take the title.
Unfortunately for Martin-Dye, under the category’s double ‘drop-score’ ruling he lost out on the championship to Lamare who, in turn, had put in a tremendous performance on Scottish soil to finish second in the penultimate points-scoring Final of 2004 and then going on to win the second of the weekend’s Finals.
Lamare topped the championship table with 447 points, a mere point ahead of Martin-Dye, while former British Junior Karting Champion Riki Christodoulou (Sutton, Coldfield, West Midlands) tied on 444 points with Danny Cruttenden (Wilmington, Kent).
Speaking on his successful title campaign of 2004, Lamare commented: “We knew there was a chance of winning the title but didn’t expect to. I was absolutely delighted when it was finally confirmed I’d become Formula ICA Champion. I hope to retain the number one plate this year although I’m sure it’ll be very difficult against some tough opposition.”
It has been announced, top drivers from the 2005 Renault UK-backed Formula ICA class will not only be aiming for title glory during the forthcoming season – they also have the chance to impress in a bid to secure a place on a specially-arranged Formula Renault UK and ELF Renault Clio Cup test day at Croft Circuit in October.
Arranged by Renault Sport UK and multiple champion team Manor Motorsport, the initiative aims to give the cream of British karting talent an opportunity to experience a Formula Renault 2.0 car for the first time. In addition, Renault Sport UK will also link up with one of its Clio Cup teams to offer the same opportunity in one of the incredible saloon cars.
In conjunction with leading weekly publication Motorsport News, which features all the latest news from the worlds of karting and Formula Renault UK each and every Wednesday, a yet-to-be-determined panel of experts will keep a keen eye on the 2005 karting season with great interest before deciding who will receive an invitation to the test on Tuesday, 25th October.
The opening round of the Renault-sponsored British Karting Championship Formula ICA class takes place on Sunday, 6th March, at Three Sisters circuit near Wigan.
For the latest British Championship Karting news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar
