Bobby Thompson to sit out 2021 campaign

Bobby Thompson has confirmed that he won’t be part of the BTCC grid for the 2021 season having been unable to secure the budget required for a seat.

Thompson had been well placed to secure the Jack Sears Trophy last season for Trade Price Cars Racing before a high-speed accident at Croft ruled him out of the final two rounds of the campaign.

The 24-year-old had then turned his focus towards trying to secure a drive for the new campaign in an attempt to try and claim the JST crown, and was linked over the winter with the likes of EXCELR8 Trade Price Cars and Power Maxed Racing.

However, with only one seat now believed to still to be available, Thompson has admitted that ongoing situation surrounding COVID-19 has prevented him from securing the budget needed, with his focus now turning towards trying to return to the grid for 2022.

“It’s unfortunate to announce that I will not be competing in the BTCC for the 2021 season,” he said. “Due to the hardship that COVID has brought to businesses, we have struggled to secure the budget required to compete for the full season. We will continue to work with our current sponsors, who will have a visual presence this season with a BTCC team, and there are opportunities for me to compete in other race series as a guest driver for one or two rounds through out the year.

“With the good news that we are slowly coming out of this lockdown, I hope to see more sponsors and guests trackside this year. Thank you to everyone that’s supported me over the last few seasons and I look forward to meeting up with BTCC fans and being back in a BTCC car for 2022.”