Interview: James Thompson on Scandinavian debut

TouringCarTimes.com caught up with James Thompson as he was on the way to Denmark for the Scandinavian Touring Car Cup at Jyllandsringen.

The Brit is back driving the spare Honda Accord of Hartmann Honda Racing this weekend, despite a very big crash at Ring Djursland just three weeks ago.

“It took me ten days or so to get back from the bruises and stitches. But I am okay now and I am looking forward to the races this weekend,” said Thompson to TouringCarTimes.

As Thompson’s regular Honda Accord still is being repaired, he is going to drive the older spare car of the team. While the spare car is older, Thompson is hoping to be fighting for the very top positions at Jyllandsringen.

“It is of course slightly disappointing that I am not able to drive my regular car this weekend. But it should not be too big of a problem and it is going to be very interesting to see where we stand at this level of competition.”

“We know where we stand competition wise in the DTC and ETCC, we are very competitive there. I think the Swedish championship is very good and it is not going to be a walk in the park. The Volvo team is very quick obviously, they are indeed a factory team. We are a smaller private team, but still with a good level of performance and I hope to be competitive with anybody this weekend, challenging for the podium.”

The previous DTC race at Ring Djursland was the first appearance for Thompson in the Danish championship. But if he is going to do any further races in Scandinavia remains to be seen.

“The main thing really is to clinch the ETCC title with the next and final race in Italy. As for the STCC and DTC, it really is down to Hans Harmann [the team boss]. I guess it depends on how things go this weekend, I mean if things go well here, we might have a crack at the coming Scandinavian round.”

Alongside his program with Hartmann Honda, Thompson is the official test driver for the new British Touring Car Championship regulations, NGTC, set for launch next year.

“I have had a seat fitting so far in the new car. It is an exciting project and everyone involved is working really hard. I think the new regulations is going to suit many teams, being really cost effective.”

Thompson is going to drive the NGTC prototype, based on a Toyota Avensis, in the practice sessions ahead of the final BTCC race of the year at Brands Hatch.

“We are going to do a shakedown and a couple of test days before Brands Hatch. Hopefully it is going to be competitive and near the other cars, to show the people what the future is going to look like.”

Although Thompson has not got anything confirmed for next year, but the Brit says he would very much like to be back in the British Touring Car Championship.

“I would be very happy to come back to the BTCC and have a shot at the championship. I really want to be in a position to win a championship next year. But I am not locked to the BTCC, if anything opens in the WTCC I would be happy to do that. Then obviously I have a good relationship with Hans [Hartmann], so we will have to see. I am a free agent at the moment, not excluding anything.”