Former champion Gary Catt (Andover, Hampshire) has a seven point lead in the Formula A class of the Renault UK-sponsored British Karting Championships following a highly entertaining opening round of the season at Three Sisters Circuit near Wigan.
The 2003 title winner took victory in the first points-scoring Final of the weekend on Sunday and backed it up with a solid second position in Final Two behind young charger Riki Christodoulou (Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands).
In the early stages of Final One, Catt looked to have the race under control but by mid-distance reigning champion Mark Litchfield (Rocester, Staffordshire) began to pressurise from second place. Several laps later though, a train of karts headed by David Gregory (Sheffield) had caught Litchfield giving Catt the opportunity to edge away at the front.
As Gregory assumed second position, Litchfield began to fall down the order and another former champion, Chris Rogers (Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire), also staked his claim for a podium finish. As the race neared its conclusion, Rogers made a move on Gregory for second place with the Sheffield driver pushed down to third and Catt taking an impressive win.
Final Two was a different story with youth getting the better of experience. Christodoulou took a hard fought maiden race win in the premier class of the British Championships, placing himself firmly in title contention early on in the season alongside his seventh position from Final One.
He was made to work hard by eventual runner-up Catt, but the victory was even more rewarding for Christodoulou who had to claw his way through to the front from seventh on the grid. Michael Slein, meanwhile, enjoyed a highly impressive showing from 13th on the grid to finish on the podium in third place.
During the opening laps of the race, the lead changed hands several times with Rogers, Jason Parrott (Crowland, Peterborough) and Freddie Martin-Dye (Shamley Green, Surrey) all heading the pack, but by mid-distance Christodoulou had made his way through to the front and held on to his lead at the finish line by just 0.10 seconds from Catt.
For reigning champion Litchfield, Three Sisters proved to be a disappointing weekend having originally gained a convincing edge in official timed qualifying. He did look set for a strong start to his season but 11th position in Final One and 15th place in Final Two see Litchfield a full 28 points behind Catt in the championship standings.
Formula A Provisional Driver Standings:
1st Gary Catt, 98pts; 2nd Riki Christodoulou, 91pts; =3rd David Gregory, 86pts;
=3rd Jason Parrott, 86pts; 5th Freddie Martin-Dye, 84pts; 6th Jason Edgar, 82pts
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