![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/1023778_orig.jpg)
Here's part 2 of our Where Are They Now series, where we look back over where previous BTCC stars have ventured whilst also reviewing their time in the BTCC.
Today, enter 2002 & 2004 BTCC Champion James Thompson into the spotlight.
The Yorkshireman debuted in the BTCC in 1994 with a privately entered Peugeot 405. He was good enough to catch the eye of Vauxhall who offered him a factory seat for the 1995 season in the Cavelier alongside John Cleland. As Cleland went on to win his second of two titles, James' season was cut short after a crash at Knockhill that gave him an eye injury. He did however become the youngest ever race winner at the time and claim a couple of pole positions.
1996 the Vectra was introduced, and it was somewhat of a transistional year for Vauxhall with Thompson only claiming 1 victory at Snetterton.
Today, enter 2002 & 2004 BTCC Champion James Thompson into the spotlight.
The Yorkshireman debuted in the BTCC in 1994 with a privately entered Peugeot 405. He was good enough to catch the eye of Vauxhall who offered him a factory seat for the 1995 season in the Cavelier alongside John Cleland. As Cleland went on to win his second of two titles, James' season was cut short after a crash at Knockhill that gave him an eye injury. He did however become the youngest ever race winner at the time and claim a couple of pole positions.
1996 the Vectra was introduced, and it was somewhat of a transistional year for Vauxhall with Thompson only claiming 1 victory at Snetterton.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/3967043_orig.jpg)
Honda were the team Thompson signed for in 1997, and he remained racing the Accord until they pulled out at the end of the year 2000. James was amongst the front runners in this, the Super Touring era with world class international drivers and just about every high street car maker around competing against each other. James finished 5th in the championship in 1997, 3rd in 1998 and 4th in 1999. Another injury put Thompson out of 2 rounds in 2000, but he still did enough to finish 9th.
With new regulations in 2001, James Thomspon joined Team Egg Sport, the 2nd of 2 Vauxhall teams running the best car on the grid the Astra Coupe. 3rd place in the championship with 4 race wins was enough to promote him to the works Vauxhall team alongside Yvan Muller after Jason Plato's departure. This was the start of an epic 3 year battle between the pair in the dominant Astra.
With new regulations in 2001, James Thomspon joined Team Egg Sport, the 2nd of 2 Vauxhall teams running the best car on the grid the Astra Coupe. 3rd place in the championship with 4 race wins was enough to promote him to the works Vauxhall team alongside Yvan Muller after Jason Plato's departure. This was the start of an epic 3 year battle between the pair in the dominant Astra.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/8395745.jpg?310)
As you read in the last article, Muller won the championship in 2003, with James winning both the 2002 and 2004 season titles. The latter saw a great fight with other teams too such as Honda and Seat, but Thompson was the strongest clinching glory by 1 point. Championships can be decided on the smallest of margins! James left the BTCC at the end of 2004.
So, where did James Thompson go after the BTCC?
He embarked upon a new challenge racing in the World Touring Car Championship. For 2005 Thompson raced with Alfa-Romeo. He opened his season with a win but it went downhill from there and he could only muster up 8th in the championship.
James drove for Seat in 2006 before rejoining Alfa in 2007. Thomspon juggled his programme in 2006 with Seat, finishing 8th in the WTCC table again whilst also returning to the BTCC to compete in 6 of the 10 meetings. Despite only doing 60% of the season, he still finished 6th. 2007 saw him just commit to the World series and claim a credable 3rd in the championship, being involved in the battle for the drivers crown.
So, where did James Thompson go after the BTCC?
He embarked upon a new challenge racing in the World Touring Car Championship. For 2005 Thompson raced with Alfa-Romeo. He opened his season with a win but it went downhill from there and he could only muster up 8th in the championship.
James drove for Seat in 2006 before rejoining Alfa in 2007. Thomspon juggled his programme in 2006 with Seat, finishing 8th in the WTCC table again whilst also returning to the BTCC to compete in 6 of the 10 meetings. Despite only doing 60% of the season, he still finished 6th. 2007 saw him just commit to the World series and claim a credable 3rd in the championship, being involved in the battle for the drivers crown.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/7726516_orig.jpg)
Thompson competed with the same squad in 2008, but switched from an Alfa to a Honda Accord. Thompson was left without a drive when N Technology pulled out after the 2008 season.
James made his 2nd return to the BTCC in 2009, racing for Team Dynamics. He replaced Gordon Shedden for the 2nd meeting, before being replaced by Johnny Herbert for the final 3. Thompson was 9th in the championship. His final return to the BTCC was for 1 meeting only racing with Airwaves Racing at Silverstone, to help bolster Mat Jackson's Independent's Trophy challenge. It didn't really come together for the double champ, with 2 retirements in the first 2 races. He earned a solitary point for fastest lap in the final race but his efforts were in vain. James Nash won the trophy.
James made his 2nd return to the BTCC in 2009, racing for Team Dynamics. He replaced Gordon Shedden for the 2nd meeting, before being replaced by Johnny Herbert for the final 3. Thompson was 9th in the championship. His final return to the BTCC was for 1 meeting only racing with Airwaves Racing at Silverstone, to help bolster Mat Jackson's Independent's Trophy challenge. It didn't really come together for the double champ, with 2 retirements in the first 2 races. He earned a solitary point for fastest lap in the final race but his efforts were in vain. James Nash won the trophy.
![Picture](/uploads/2/8/8/8/28884251/6029356_orig.jpg)
This decade, Thompson has done some racing in the WTCC, the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship and in 2009 the European Touring Car Cup.
This and last year Thompson has been racing for Lada in the WTCC. It's not been a great season this term, with non starts and disqualifications. With 8 races remaining Thompson only has 5 points.
Although things aren't going to plan right now for the 40 year old, James Thompson is a great racing driver. He was part of the most iconic era of the BTCC in the '90s and has been involved in many championship battles throughout his career. Best of luck to him in his remaining races in 2014
This and last year Thompson has been racing for Lada in the WTCC. It's not been a great season this term, with non starts and disqualifications. With 8 races remaining Thompson only has 5 points.
Although things aren't going to plan right now for the 40 year old, James Thompson is a great racing driver. He was part of the most iconic era of the BTCC in the '90s and has been involved in many championship battles throughout his career. Best of luck to him in his remaining races in 2014