Fortec Motorsport’s Duncan Tappy (West Ewell) climbed onto the top step of the podium for the third time after winning round four of the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship at Rockingham on Sunday, 22nd April. His team-mate Riki Christodoulou (Sutton Coldfield) scored the first podium finish of his car racing career in second place, with Dean Smith (Wolverhampton) completing a Fortec one-two-three.
Tappy started the race from pole position and comfortably led away from the line. Christodoulou immediately came under pressure from Apotex Scorpio Motorsport’s fast-starting Richard Keen (Amersham) who climbed from fifth to briefly hold second before Christodoulou fought back to regain the place.
AKA Cobra’s Adam Christodoulou (Lichfield) also climbed two places to fourth but the best start came from Eucatex’ Adriano Buzaid (Oxford). From 15th on the grid, the Brazilian went to the outside at Deene hairpin and picked his way past a line of cars to find himself sixth at the end of the first lap.
Apotex Scorpio Motorsport’s Will Bratt (Banbury) was looking to repeat his podium finish from earlier in the day. But an incident with Manor Competition’s Alexander Sims (Peterborough) resulted in a rear puncture for Bratt, forcing him into retirement. Sims later received a formal reprimand from the Clerk of the Course. Manor Competition’s Kris Loane (Kesh, Co Fermanagh) also pitted on the opening lap but was able to rejoin one lap down.
Tappy immediately built a commanding lead, which stretched to 2.5s after just five laps. As Adam Christodoulou challenged Keen for third place, it not only allowed Dean Smith to close the gap from fifth but also gave Tappy and Riki Christodoulou the opportunity to increase their advantage over the rest of the field.
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