Photo: Gripping Media

Thompson leads 1-2 Honda victory

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Hartmann Honda had a blast at the final heat of round 3 at the Danish Touring Car Championship. Per Poulsen earned pole position and together with James Thompson they dominated the event. But until the celebrations on the podium, a lot had to happen. As always, the DTC never gets boring!

The leading Privateer Cup driver, Per Poulsen, had pole position on his hand for the final heat; next to him was Jan Magnussen of Ree Sport. At the rolling start, Magnussen began inching away from pole sitter Poulsen before the line, resulting in a stop and go penalty for a false start.

Just in the tailwind of these two, was James Thompson who won the previous final heat at Padborg Park. After having a stop and go penalty, Magnussen decided to park the car in the garage, saving tires for the next round.

Now the front was all white, Poulsen in front of Hartmann Honda teammate Thompson, leading Henrik Lundgaard and Jason Watt on the following places. James Thompson soon managed to close the gap up to his teammate Poulsen, trying to get past in every corner. But that was not the only action, on fifth and sixth spot were Lundgaard and Watt, the latter attacking furiously.

Poulsen in the end had to give way for a flying James Thompson, both of them later claiming that team orders were not in play at all. The two Honda’s trailed each other to the flag, showing that Hartmann Honda is not set to roll over, and give the championship to Chevrolet. Weight ballast or no weight ballast, these two teams’ looks set for the championship.

Per Poulsen had no easy way to the flag, having Lundgaard all over him. The Chevrolet driver tried anything to get in front, and secure second spot. But Poulsen managed to fend him off, and by doing this he secured a Honda 1-2 behind Thompson, but also his lead in the privateer cup.

In the Invitation Only they had a fight on their hands, but in the end John Hansen showed that his test of the Michelin rubber turned out nicely, keeping him in front in the championship with 145 points, in front of Martin Marrill by just 1 point.