Photo: BTCC

Bobby Thompson joins WSR for Brands Hatch pre-season test

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West Surrey Racing has confirmed that Bobby Thompson will join the team this week to participate in the official BTCC test at Brands Hatch, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 3rd April.

Thompson, who is a former Jack Sears Trophy champion in the series, is currently without a drive for the forthcoming 2024 campaign.

As WSR evaluates its options for its currently vacant fourth seat, the Essex racer will join Colin Turkington, Jake Hill and Adam Morgan behind the wheel of a BMW 330e M Sport on the Indy circuit.

“I’m thrilled to test the BMW 330e M Sport at Brands Hatch and I have to thank everybody involved who has worked so hard to create this opportunity,” said Thompson. “I’ve never had the opportunity to drive a championship-winning car in the BTCC so this will be a first for me and I really hope it can lead to a race seat for the 2024 season.

“I’m working incredibly hard with my partners to put together a package for this year, but we’re still a bit away from where we need to be in order to make the dream a reality.

“The BTCC is about to enter a new era with a ground-breaking global broadcast deal with ITV Sport and TikTok, which should be a game-changer in what the series can do to promote a commercial sponsor, and there’s honestly nowhere else I’d rather race. I hope this can be a first step towards something really special.”

WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts added that as it stands the day in the car for Thompson is just a test as they push to run four cars once again.

“Bobby’s one of a group of talented drivers who have come along in the past few seasons, ruffled a few feathers and achieved some very good results when both the machinery and circumstance have allowed it,” said the Kiwi. “He’s one of the drivers right now who has built an incredibly loyal fanbase and someone who definitely enhances the BTCC just by being there.

“He has plenty of rear-wheel-drive experience, albeit not in a touring car, so this test will focus on getting him comfortable in the BMW and seeing what we can do as a group.

“This is just a test at this stage as we continue to push very hard to make sure our fourth BMW is on the grid this season, but we’re well aware of Bobby’s determination to race and hope we can play a role in making things happen.”