Photo: ETC Media

Thompson aiming for the podium at Braga

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James Thompson is aiming for podium finishes at the European Touring Car Cup premiere at Braga this weekend.
“I am crazy happy to get going again. I count on that we can fight for podium
finishes,” said Thompson.

Thompson is going to drive a nationally homologated Honda Accord with team mate Tomas Engström this year. Team boss Hans Hartmann says that the team is ready for the premiere.

“We have spent the three first weeks of march on rebuilding the cars completely. It has been hard work, but I feel that we are properly prepared,” said Hartmann.

While the team runs two identical Honda Accord’s for Thompson and Engström, the cars differ on one important point: the engine.

“Engström has got a co-operation with Mugen for engines, so he has got his own engine and his own engine-man with him. Neil Brown delivers the engines for Thompson. It is going to be interesting to see how they compare to each other,” said Hartmann.

Thompson claimed the ETC Cup title last year for Hartmann and the team boss is hoping to start the 2010 season with a one-two finish.

“We would like to take a couple of podium finishes this weekend and I think that we have good opportunities to return home with a 1-2 victory in the premiere,” said Hartmann.