Photo: Gripping Media

James Thompson takes the final win

By

From pole in the final heat of Round 2 at Padborg Park, Hartmann Honda driver James Thompson was never unsure of his trophy. He launched from the start, putting the powerful Honda to its best use. But as always, the DTC anno 2009 will never go down without a fight.

Already from the start, Thompson looked powerful. Jason Watt and Jan Magnussen had a fierce fight behind him, with Michel Nykjær and John Nielsen completing the train. Several times the gang went three abreast through the turns, trying to outbrake and outsmart the guy in front.

FDM Motorsport driver Jens Møller had to retire early, going slowly to the pits. Nykjær tried a smart move on Magnussen in the last turn before the start / finish line, but Magnussen saw it coming and rejected the idea. The race management saw it as blocking, and a penalty was put upon Magnussen.

Henrik Lundgaard would have a piece of the action, attacking Nielsen and passing him for sixth place. Jason Watt was fighting for the top step of the podium, passing Nykjær in the process. Nykjær fights back, but Watt was just too wide for passing. But the paraplegic driver had no chance of catching Thompson for the victory.

Due to a lot of dust in turn 1, the final lap was something out of the ordinary. Thompson made it gracefully through, missing the dirty line. But Jason Watt slid onto the grass after passing the line and the flag for second.

“It was a fantastic victory, “James Thompson explains. “I have to give a lot of credit to Neil Brown Engines in the UK. We have had a lot of changes lately, and they have just kept up. The team also kept up momentum, we have been consistent and we just got more and more competitive.”

“I am very pleased for my teammate Per Poulsen, he did a good job clinching double with victory in the privateers cup. For me, I have now had to wins in two weeks. Which has been nice, and I am now getting used to it! Of course I am now going for both championships, both the DTC and the BTCC!”

Per Poulsen´s victory in the privateers cup made it a double for Hartmann Honda. John Hansen made it to the podium as the best in the Invitation Only Class.