James Thompson: “I’ve missed BTCC”

James Thompson is back in the British Touring Car Championship since he left the championship for the World Touring Car Championship.
“The support I’ve had in the UK when I’ve raced in the BTCC… I’ve missed it,” said Thompson to BTCC.net.

“It’s always great to go to pastures new and travel about a bit which I’ve done in World series, but in the past few years in particular I’ve missed racing in the UK and on the circuits in the BTCC.”

Thompson is going to replace Gordon Shedden in Team Dynamics. It is going to be a steep learning curve for the previous BTCC champion who has not competed since november last year.

“There’s no way, though, that I’m just going to jump in the car and win three races. I haven’t raced since November last year and, even though I know the Civic has great potential having tested it during the winter, it will take time and mileage,” said Thompson.

But Jason Plato made a similar comeback in the BTCC premiere at Brands Hatch where he jumped in the RML prepared Chevrolet Lacetti and scored a win straight out.

“Then again, look what Jason (Plato) ended up with at Brands Hatch with only a shakedown in the car,” said Thompson.

Thompson is going to make his debut at Thruxton next weeked, a track the Brit finds a bit challenging to debut in a new car at.

“Thruxton maybe makes it a bit more difficult. It’s the most difficult track we come across in terms of speed. But I love a challenge and Steve (Neal, team principal) wants to win races and so do I.”