James Thompson insists that his World Touring Car Championship title dream isn't over before it starts following the announcement that N.Technology are to miss the opening round of the season in Brazil this weekend.
Having only confirmed its plans to run a Honda Accord Euro R in late January, Thompson and the team hit the track for the first time earlier this month at Valencia, with the Briton stating afterwards that the JAS Motorsport-designed machine showed great potential for the season ahead.
However, the Spanish test wasn't without its problems for the team as gets to grips with the new car, and with only limited time to develop the 2006-specification Accord, the decision was taken to sit out the season opener.
With the WTCC being as competitive as ever going into the new season, the decision means that Thompson – who finished third in the standings last season at the wheel of his outdated Alfa Romeo 156 – will start 2008 on the back foot, but he insisted that it wouldn't mean an end to his challenge for a first World title.
"We want to win races but need to get everything right before we bring the Honda out," he told
The Sun. "There's nothing worse than going racing half-hearted.
"We think we've got a great package and even though we may lose points this weekend we feel we can catch-up. It's a tall order but we'll give it a bloody good go."
![James Thompson - N.Technology Honda Accord Euro R [Pic credit: N.technology]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/405457.jpg)
