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The first act of the Slalom 4 Zone Cup does not entirely smile on Michele De Cristofaro who, despite appearing as the solitary winner of the S4 class, suffered more than he should have in a Picerno City Cup Slalom which put him under pressure on Sunday. The driver from Manfredonia, aboard his usual Peugeot 205 Rallye, was already struggling during reconnaissance.
“In the reconnaissance heat I had problems with the brake distribution and every time I braked, when I went to support, the rear would go away. This forced me to brake early to try to get more composed into the corners. A problem that we hoped to solve at the end of the reconnaissance but we were unable to. With the burden of a non-optimal technical condition, the Motor Valley Racing Division standard bearer tried to push in the first heat of the race, running into a penalty. “Even though the problem with the distributor wasn’t solved, I tried to attack, but the result was that I ended up getting a penalty, what a shame.”
With the awareness of a season only at the beginning the Siponto wisely pulled the oars, managing the situation and being satisfied with the solitary success in class S4
“At that point there was no point in taking risks so we took this Sunday as a sort of test to break the ice, being the first of 2024. It’s a shame because the route is very beautiful, fast and technical. It suited my riding style best and to the car. Honestly, I’m not satisfied with the performance because I didn’t even express half of our potential. We will have other opportunities to make up for it.”
A long season, that of De Cristofaro, which will also include the Slalom of San Nicola (26 May), the Slalom Coppa Città di Grassano (16 June), the Slalom Coppa Città di Montesano sulla Marcellana (25 August), the Slalom Città di Monte Sant’Angelo (8 September) and with the Slalom Trofeo Selva di Fasano (20 October) which will close the 2024 calendar. “The championship is still very long” – concludes De Cristofaro – “so let’s try to look ahead and be ready for the next installment in the series. Thanks to Motor Valley Racing Division for the opportunity to take on this championship, thanks to all the partners and the guys at D’Errico Racing for the excellent assistance. Thanks also to the many friends who came here.”
