Photo: Gripping Media

James Thompson takes hectic pole

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With threatening dark clouds in the horizon; the Danish Touring Car Championship started what was to be a hectic qualification at Padborg Park. Jason Watt and James Thompson were the fastest guys of the day in the two practice sessions. But nothing was decided, and Padborg Park is known for it front wheel drive qualities.

Rain was threating to hit the track, with big radar echoes on weather radar. So everyone hurried out to set a fast lap in the 25 minute long session. After ten minutes the situation was as follows:

1. James Thompson 1.01,584
2. Michel Nykjær 1.01,575
3. Jason Watt 1.01,727
4. Henrik Lundgaard 1.01,848

James Thompson then improved his lap time to 1.01,237, and only a few minutes later Henrik Lundgaard inched his way to third spot. With only 3 minutes left, and the track still dry, the show was on.

Per Poulsen broke the suspension on the front left side of his Hartmann Honda, and is stationary in the pit in fifth place. John Nielsen meanwhile receives a penalty after blocking another competitor, taking away his best lap time.

The only real drama in the dying moments of the qualification was found in the Invitation Only, where John Hansen and Martin Marrill fought over the honour of best in class. Marrill was able to take the lead, in a fight over thousands of a second.

James Thompson takes pole, a honour he has only shared with Chevrolet driver Michel Nykjær during the season. Per Poulsen takes the lead in the privateer class and Martin Marrill is the fastest driver in the Invitation Only class.

“I am very pleased,” James Thompson explains. “Which is shown by the smile on my face. With maximum ballast it’s a good achievement. It represents the work done by the team, and I am very proud of them.”

Michel Nykjær is the only other driver taking finale wins this season, and targets are high for the race:

“It is all right to get second, “ Nykjær replies. “I was 11 thousands after Thompson, and we had a tough fight. Three tenths behind James is a good result. And I happen to know that he has used all his new tires in the qualification. I still have several left for the race tomorrow.”

Warm up is Sunday morning at 10.15.