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N.Technology
Alfa Romeo driver James Thompson arrives on home ground this
weekend at Brands Hatch, UK, having out-scored the remainder of the FIA
World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) drivers in the last four
rounds.
The
double British Touring Car Champion claimed 21 points with his Alfa
Romeo 156 in Anderstorp and Oschersleben whilst Championship leader
Augusto Farfus only took 13 points with reigning Champion Andy Priaulx
scoring 12
points.
“That’s
a really nice statistic to hear just before my home
races,” said the 33-year-old from Harrogate. “My goal is to still be
within a fighting chance of winning the championship going into
the last round and than means being within 20 points of the leader. I’m
currently 22 points off Farfus but if I keep my recent record up that
could all change!
Thompson feels his chance of repeating the team’s fabulous success at
Valencia, where he took this season’s only double win, are best at his home track.
“All
the main contenders at Brands Hatch will be carrying similar
levels of ballast and racing is exceptionally close. I really want to
win races, for the team and for the morale. I believe the car is now
capable of
fighting for pole position and we know we should be winning races at
the end of the year.
“I’ve
been lucky enough to race in Europe and had a few years
to learn other circuits but there’s nothing like coming back to your
home track. It does give you an advantage and any little advantage can
make the difference between a good weekend and a great weekend in a
competition as exceptionally close as the WTCC.”
Team-mate
Olivier Tielemans is looking forward to a repeat of his
Oschersleben performance. The 23-year-old rookie scored his best finish
to date, a solid ninth place, in Germany and hopes to do the same on
British
soil.
“My aim has been to improve at every round throughout the
season,” said the Dutchman. “Germany really showed how far I’ve come and I hope to do even better this weekend. The car is
great, the team has shown that on several occasions this year, so I will be fighting for points with everything I have come
Sunday!”
Eurosport’s
WTCC coverage begins Saturday 22 September with
qualifying shown live on Eurosport 2 at 15.00 (CET). Race one will be
shown live from 12.00 (CET) onwards and live coverage of race two
starting
at 15.30 (CET), both on Eurosport.
Live streaming will also
be available for both races on www.eurosport.com and www.fiawtcc.com.
Points taken in the last four FIA WTCC races:
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Thompson
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21
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Y. Muller
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17
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Tarquini
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16
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Farfus
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13
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Huff
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13
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Priaulx
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12
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Monteiro
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12
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Larini
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10
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Coronel
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10
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Rydell
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10
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