James Thompson returns to WTCC?

[Yannis]

The last two days there are rumors that a well known ex-WTCC driver will return at the Porto event driving the new Lada Priora WTCC.

According to this (http://ladainfo.skyrock.com/2483771957-LADA-Sport-s-installe-en-Belgique-Avec-James-Thompson-dans-ses-bagages.html) and this, (http://italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=23488&cat=18) that driver will be James Thompson!!!

[Martin-MC]

Why bother?
Currently doing two championships in race winning machineery. Why go back to a series thats loosing credibility amongst its manufactures. Cant see him bothering.

[Yannis]

Well, i cannot answer why. If Thommo wants to return, he will return.

The russian mag ΑΒΤΟCΠOPT (http://www.auto-sport.ru/news/654/49701/) also refers on these news.

However Jaap van Lagen does not confirm anything at the moment in his interview (http://www.stopandgo.tv/news/wtcc/intervista-in-esclusiva-con-jaap-van-lagen-andremo-a-punti-entro-fine-anno-/default.html)

[Allyc85]

Nothing on the british sites though. Il believe it when I see it tbh :)

[driveace]

I dont see this happening.He started with Honda in a civic with Mardi-Gras racing .And now I dont see him jumping ship from Honda !

[tisme]

The russian mag ΑΒΤΟCΠOPT (http://www.auto-sport.ru/news/654/49701/) also refers on these news.

But the Russian magazine says the source of the story is from ItaliaRacing.net

[Yannis]

http://www.rtl.nl/(/sport/rtl_gp/overig/nieuws/)/sport/rtl_gp/components/wtcc/nieuws/2009/06_juni/19/articles/090619_thompson_lada.xml

[Martin-MC]

Well its been in Autosport and now on some UK touring car news sites. Seems hes got the have Licence will drive owt attitude. Top man!

[brandshatchman]

It could be true. He did drive a milk float round Silverstone once I believe!

[jonv]

Was mentioned on this weekends WTCC coverage.

[tisme]

I suppose, until he finds a decent team to drive for, he is not going to commit to one single championship, is he?

So this year he be playing in the WTCC, BTCC, DTC and the V8's.

Just wish he would take one seriously..

[Martin-MC]

I suppose, until he finds a decent team to drive for, he is not going to commit to one single championship, is he?

So this year he be playing in the WTCC, BTCC, DTC and the V8's.

Just wish he would take one seriously..

May be but look at it from his perspective, the DTD is realistically the only championship he may win outright. BTCC did look remotly possable a bit back and its not lost yet even with missing first round. So he out to race and pick up wins freelance driver for hire kind of thing till hes offered a deal to keep him in one place for one team/manufacturer.

[PDS]

BTCC did look remotly possable a bit back and its not lost yet even with missing first round. But if he goes in the WTCC in the Lada AND the two V8 races he has no chance of winning the BTCC!

[LiamM]

According to TcT, which isnt the most reliable source Thompsons LADA deal isnt for every round left tho

[PDS]

If TcT are, in your words, 'not the most reliable source'. WHY are you quoting them???

Anyway, I understand from a source close to TD, the story in TcT is correct...

[LiamM]

I quoted them cos sometimes they are correct PDS!

http://www.crash.net/wtcc/news/148947/1/thompson_confirmed_at_lada.html

Unlike your source....apparently

[PDS]

According to TcT, which isnt the most reliable source Thompsons LADA deal isnt for every round left tho


Commitments already in place elsewhere will prevent Thompson from contesting the races at Oschersleben and Imola.

Which bit from my source is wrong??

[kmchow]

I suppose, until he finds a decent team to drive for, he is not going to commit to one single championship, is he?

So this year he be playing in the WTCC, BTCC, DTC and the V8's.

Just wish he would take one seriously..
Considering how much available and cheaper (to hire) talent there is out there, I would assume any driver, including, James Thompson, would aim to do his best, in whichever championship he's racing in?

[kmchow]

Why bother?
Currently doing two championships in race winning machineery. Why go back to a series thats loosing credibility amongst its manufactures. Cant see him bothering.
Or perhaps they're giving him a big suitcase of cash? ;) And it keeps his skills sharp, ready for any future potential Works teams?

[m.lowe]

With his knowledge his experience can only help Lada
Great to see him driving it as it shows that the best (ok hes getting paid for it) are willing to help the smaller budgeted teams out in developing their cars

[Eurotech]

hmmm... that Lada should never have been made into a race car judgung on what it has achieved so far. It still needs a lot of development...

[VkmSpouge]

It isn't a terrible car but is clearly in need of a lot more development. Hopefully James Thompson will be able to take it forward.