James Thompson (racing driver)

BTCC driver
Name = James Thompson


Nationality = flagicon|ENG
Nickname = Jimmy/Thommo
Car number = 14
Team =
Car = Alfa Romeo 156
Championships = 2
Wins = 33
Podiums = 109
Poles = 29
Fastest laps = 27
First year = 1994
First win = 1995
Best position = 1st (2002, 2004)
Last season = 2006
Last position = 6th (162 points)

James Thompson (born April 26 1974) is an English auto racing driver from York. He has twice been champion of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). From 2005, he has raced for Alfa Romeo and SEAT in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). For 2008 he is competing in the series in an independent Honda for the prestigious N-Technology team.

He started racing in the BTCC in a privately-entered Peugeot in 1994, his performances earning him a factory Vauxhall drive for 1995. He became the youngest ever race-winner that year, also taking 2 pole positions, before his season was cut short by a crash at Knockhill. 1996 was a transitional year with the new Vectra car, although James took a victory at Snetterton, moving up from 5th in a 2-lap burst in which Roberto Ravaglia and Rickard Rydell collided, Joachim Winkelhock spun, and Alain Menu broke down.

In 1997, James joined Honda, finishing 5th in the championship in 1997, 3rd in 1998, and 4th in 1999. He missed two rounds through injury in 2000, but was able to finish 9th.

When Honda pulled out for 2001, James joined Team Egg Sport, racing their Vauxhall to 4 wins and 3rd overall - enough to earn him a return to the factory Vauxhall team for 2002, which featured a titanic 3-year battle with team-mate Yvan Muller in their dominant Astra. James was BTCC champion in both 2002 and 2004, and was 2nd in 2003.

For 2005, Thompson attempted a new challenge in the World Touring Car Championship, with Alfa Romeo. His first WTCC season opened with a win, but was not a huge success overall. For 2006, he moved to SEAT and competed in both the BTCC and the WTCC, although he had to miss some BTCC rounds when they clashed with World touring car events.

He competed in 18 of the 30 races of the BTCC that year. For most of the season he raced in the second SEAT Sport UK car, but at Silverstone for the final round he used his Red Bull-backed WTCC car. After competing in the first 9 races, he was actually ahead of BTCC team leader Jason Plato. Despite having to yield the victory to Plato at Croft, he finished 6th overall, socring more points per entry than any other SEAT driver (although Plato failed to start 2 races due to accident damage). In 2007, Thompson rejoined Alfa Romeo in the WTCC. Though his aged Alfa Romeo 156 was not as well developed as his works-backed rivals, he fought for the championship title until the final race and ended the season in 3rd place.

In 2008 he is competing for N.Technology in a Honda Accord Euro R in the WTCC. He is also driving an Accord in the Danish Touring Car Championship. After missing the first two WTCC meetings, the team has struggled to develop a competitive car. However, the team have steadily worked on the car over the season and took their first win of the season at Imola.

For 2009, rumours have placed James Thompson with a possible return to the BTCC after discussions with Team Halfords to race one of their Honda Civic Type R's.

Race of Champions

After Jenson Button had to pull out of the 2006 Race of Champions, Thompson was announced as his replacement on December 13 2006. He competed for the English team with Andy Priaulx on December 16 2006.

External links

* [http://www.btccinfo.co.uk/drivers/thompson.html Profile from btccinfo.co.uk]
* [http://www.btccaction.co.uk/drivers/thompson.php btcc:action profile]