Saturday, 28th June 2008

N.Technology man sets the pace during a day of testing for the World Touring Car Championship regulars at Monza.

James Thompson set the pace for N.Technology on Thursday during a day of testing for the World Touring Car Championship at Monza.

The Briton, at the wheel of the team's Honda Accord, posted a best time of 2min 00.918secs during the morning session at the Italian venue which proved to be unbeatable during the remainder of the day despite the best efforts of some of his rivals.

"We had a very good day here in Monza with the fastest lap," he said. "It shows the constant improvements we are making. We didn't carry out as many laps as other teams because we're making big changes on the car between runs but it's worth it.

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"We know it's likely that others will be more competitive than us on race days but we take the result as a good representation of the progress we're making. Step-by-step we will be back at the level we are used to competing at."

Front-wheel drive cars locked out the top three places on the timesheets with Tom Coronel slotting into second place at the wheel of the SUNRED SEAT Leon TFSI. The Dutchman was quickest during the afternoon session but his best lap saw him finish just 0.022secs behind Thompson. Alain Menu took third, just 0.004secs further back.

Andy Priaulx was fastest of the BMW runners with the fourth quickest time ahead of the first of the diesel-powered SEATs; Jordi Gene taking fifth. Jorg Muller completed the top six while the top 13 drivers were covered by less than a second.

The afternoon session of the test saw Turkish driver Aytac Biter make his debut in the Borusan Otomotive BMW 320si normally driven by countryman Ibrahim Okyay. Biter, a former runner-up in the Turkish F3 championship is set to drive the team's second car at both Brands Hatch and Oschersleben.

Monza test times – 26 June:

1. James Thompson N.Technology Honda Accord 2min 00.918secs
2. Tom Coronel SUNRED SEAT Leon TFSI 2min 00.940secs
3. Alain Menu Chevrolet Chevrolet Lacetti 2min 00.946secs
4. Andy Priaulx BMW Team UK BMW 320si 2min 01.241secs
5. Jordi Gene SEAT Sport SEAT Leon TDI 2min 01.298secs
6. Jorg Muller BMW Team Germany BMW 320si 2min 01.303secs
7. Yvan Muller SEAT Sport SEAT Leon TDI 2min 01.314secs
8. Gabriele Tarquini SEAT Sport SEAT Leon TDI 2min 01.347secs
9. Augusto Farfus BMW Team Germany BMW 320si 2min 01.390secs
10. Nicola Larini Chevrolet Chevrolet Lacetti 2min 01.402secs
11. Felix Porteiro BMW Team Italy-Spain BMW 320si 2min 01.477secs
12. Alex Zanardi BMW Team Italy-Spain BMW 320si 2min 01.577secs
13. Rickard Rydell SEAT Sport SEAT Leon TDI 2min 02.007secs
14. Tiago Monteiro SEAT Sport SEAT Leon TDI 2min 02.325secs
15. Ibrahim Okyay Otomotiv Motorsport BMW 320si 2min 04.897secs I

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