Thompson in Tempus test

Having been released from his contract with N.Technology, James Thompson has joined the Tempus Sport team for testing in Portugal as he evaluates his options for the 2009 season.

The two-time HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship title winner tested the Team Dynamics Honda Civic prior to Christmas, but has now taken the chance to join the series' newest team for its latest off-season test at Estoril.

James Thompson
James Thompson

Having been released from his contract with N.Technology, James Thompson has joined the Tempus Sport team for testing in Portugal as he evaluates his options for the 2009 season.

The two-time HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship title winner tested the Team Dynamics Honda Civic prior to Christmas, but has now taken the chance to join the series' newest team for its latest off-season test at Estoril.

The 34-year-old joined Harry Vaulkhard for testing of the team's Chevrolet Lacetti with team manager Richard Coleman admitting that Thompson featured highly on the list of drivers the team is talking to for its debut season in the BTCC.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to get a driver of the calibre of James Thompson in the car and his feedback was invaluable," he said. "A driver like James would fit in perfectly at Tempus Sport and I think he understands exactly what we are trying to achieve. We are certainly having serious discussions with James, but we are still talking to other drivers too, so it's too early to confirm our second driver."

Thompson himself was pleased to get the chance to sample the Lacetti and said a race seat in the car was a possibility for the 2009 campaign.

"I have raced against the Chevrolet Lacetti at tracks around the world over the last four seasons so I've seen how it has developed and I know what it's capable of doing," he said. "Getting behind the wheel of the car for myself was interesting and the Tempus Sport team certainly have potential, especially with their close relationship with RML, who make the car. It's still too early to say what I'll be doing for the 2009 season, but the BTCC with Tempus is definitely an option."

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