Thompson ticks his box and mans up
Two-time British Touring Car Champion, James Thompson, has acknowledged our V8 Supercar category is more ‘manlier’ than its European counterparts and is relishing the chance to compete at Bathurst.
Thompson and Allan Simonsen will share driving duties in the spare TeamVodafone car for the L&H 500 at Phillip Island later this month and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in October.
Unlike Simonsen, Thompson has never raced in a V8 Supercar, but has two days worth of testing up his sleeve.
The 35-year-old Englishman, who is used to driving front-wheel-drive two-litre cars, said comparing the Euro cars to the Aussie V8 Supercars was like chalk and cheese.
“Australian’s prefer much more manly cars; it’s part of the attraction,” he said.
“It is a very manly car and different in performance aspects. They are a challenge, but I think as a driver it is nice to get out of your comfort zone.”
Thompson is also well credentialled in the World Touring Car Championship, finishing third in the category in 2007.
He said it was exciting to experience the V8 Supercar scene for the first time.
“For many years I have watched Bathurst on TV so the chance to compete is exciting,” he enthused.
“It’s one of the jewels in the crown of touring cars.
“If you are a touring car driver, for us it’s one of the races you always want to experience and to get to do it with a top team is something I couldn’t turn down.”
Thompson, who raced with Triple Eight Racing in the United Kingdom, describes himself as “pretty lucky” to win two touring car titles.
“But I’ve always looked longingly at Australia because of the cars, the championship and particularly Bathurst and I wanted to give it a go.”
He said it was nice to tick another box on his wishlist of things to do.
“Hopefully I will get up to scratch quickly,” he said.
“I’m trying to do as good a job as I can as quickly as I can.”
Unlike his teammate, Thompson is yet to set goals for either of the enduros.
“But I know Triple Eight from the UK because I used to drive with them so from that side the professionalism and winning pedigree is all in place,” he said.
Thompson ticks his box and mans up - v8supercars.com.au
Thompson and Allan Simonsen will share driving duties in the spare TeamVodafone car for the L&H 500 at Phillip Island later this month and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in October.
Unlike Simonsen, Thompson has never raced in a V8 Supercar, but has two days worth of testing up his sleeve.
The 35-year-old Englishman, who is used to driving front-wheel-drive two-litre cars, said comparing the Euro cars to the Aussie V8 Supercars was like chalk and cheese.
“Australian’s prefer much more manly cars; it’s part of the attraction,” he said.
“It is a very manly car and different in performance aspects. They are a challenge, but I think as a driver it is nice to get out of your comfort zone.”
Thompson is also well credentialled in the World Touring Car Championship, finishing third in the category in 2007.
He said it was exciting to experience the V8 Supercar scene for the first time.
“For many years I have watched Bathurst on TV so the chance to compete is exciting,” he enthused.
“It’s one of the jewels in the crown of touring cars.
“If you are a touring car driver, for us it’s one of the races you always want to experience and to get to do it with a top team is something I couldn’t turn down.”
Thompson, who raced with Triple Eight Racing in the United Kingdom, describes himself as “pretty lucky” to win two touring car titles.
“But I’ve always looked longingly at Australia because of the cars, the championship and particularly Bathurst and I wanted to give it a go.”
He said it was nice to tick another box on his wishlist of things to do.
“Hopefully I will get up to scratch quickly,” he said.
“I’m trying to do as good a job as I can as quickly as I can.”
Unlike his teammate, Thompson is yet to set goals for either of the enduros.
“But I know Triple Eight from the UK because I used to drive with them so from that side the professionalism and winning pedigree is all in place,” he said.
Thompson ticks his box and mans up - v8supercars.com.au
