Bobby Thompson, the 2022 champion in the Jack Sears Trophy sub-division of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), recently completed a test with WSR to potentially secure a race deal for the 2024 season. The test took place on a Wednesday at Brands Hatch, where Thompson had the opportunity to drive the BMW 330e M Sport. This test comes as WSR looks to fill the vacant seat in their team lineup alongside established drivers such as Jake Hill and Colin Turkington.
Thompson has primarily raced with Team Hard throughout his BTCC career, participating in 130 races and achieving notable success, including a second-place finish at Brands Hatch in the previous season. Despite his achievements, Thompson was unable to complete the full season last year due to budget constraints within the team. However, his talent and potential have not gone unnoticed, with former BTCC champion Matt Neal praising him as one of the top drivers in the series.
With veteran driver Stephen Jelley departing the team, WSR is in discussions with various drivers to fill the vacant seat for the upcoming season. Thompson’s test with the team signals a mutual interest in potentially securing a race deal for 2024. Despite most of his racing experience being in front-wheel-drive cars, Thompson has significant experience with rear-wheel-drive machinery through coaching and test work. This test provides him with the opportunity to showcase his skills in a championship-winning car and potentially secure a competitive seat for the season.
Reflecting on the test, Thompson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to drive the BMW 330e M Sport and acknowledged the hard work put in by everyone involved. He emphasized his desire to secure a race seat for the upcoming season and highlighted the significant changes happening in the BTCC, such as the new global broadcast deal with ITV Sport and TikTok. Thompson sees these developments as game-changers for the series and hopes that his test with WSR can be a stepping stone towards achieving something special in his racing career.
WSR team principal, Dick Bennetts, commended Thompson for his talent and fan following, acknowledging his contributions to the BTCC. He emphasized Thompson’s loyal fan base and his ability to enhance the series by being a part of it. Bennetts also recognized Thompson’s rear-wheel-drive experience and the team’s focus on helping him adapt to the BMW 330e M Sport during the test. This collaborative effort aims to evaluate Thompson’s potential within the team and explore possibilities for the upcoming season.
Bobby Thompson’s test with WSR represents a significant opportunity for the talented driver to secure a competitive race seat in the BTCC for the 2024 season. The test serves as a platform for Thompson to showcase his skills in a championship-winning car and potentially solidify his position within the team. With both Thompson and WSR expressing mutual interest in a lasting partnership, the test could mark the beginning of an exciting chapter in Thompson’s racing career.
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