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James Thompson to help Speedworks Motorsport's 2012 BTCC challenge
By MJP Media | 13 December 2011
Speedworks Motorsport team have recruited double British Touring Car Champion James Thompson to help develop their 2012 NGTC specified Toyota Avensis in winter testing.
James Thompson will help develop the Speedworks 2012 Toyota Avensis
Thompson, who has been involved in the NGTC programme over the past two years and returned to pilot the Airwaves Ford Focus two months ago, will drive the Speedworks car in a day of serious development at Donington Park this Thursday.
Thompson has been instrumental in the success of the NGTC vehicles having been the official development driver for the class throughout 2010 and into 2011. As the original development of the car proved, Thompson is the perfect partner for the Speedworks team as they seek to move forward in 2012. Few would deny that their debut season in 2011 was a steep learning curve, but the involvement of Thompson shows how serious the team is going forwards. Team regular Tony Hughes will also be driving at the test and is sure to welcome Thompson's enormous experience.
Team boss Christian Dick was wholly enthusiastic about the input from Thompson. He described his new recruit as "A fantastic driver to have in the car in terms of setup work and overall development. His experience as the development driver behind the original NGTC can only be of added value".
The team has big plans for the day and are hopeful of a break in the weather, although this seems unlikely with the forecast at the moment. Christian Dick is hopeful that "By the end of the day Tony Hughes will be able to see how the car has come on".
The team has every reason to be hopeful of success in 2012 following the rapid development and outstanding results achieved by Frank Wrathall in a similar Toyota Avensis last season.
Tony Hughes in his 2011 Speedworks Motorsport Toyota Avensis
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