New Lada Driver Announced: James Thompson - Page 3

MikeD · 21 Jun 2009, 22:12 (Ref:2487867)

It was confirmed today on Eurosport that James Thompson is the new LADA driver. It was also confirmed that Danish driver Michel Nykjaer will drive a Chevrolet at Oscherleben (don't know if it will be a Lacetti or a Cruze)

**FIRE** · 22 Jun 2009, 08:54 (Ref:2488123)

So he will miss one BTCC race?

Nykjaer will use his Lacetti.

stedevil · 22 Jun 2009, 10:55 (Ref:2488192)

As I read it he will only participate in WTCC events that does not prevent him from attending the rest of this years BTCC and DTC events.

Icebaby · 23 Jun 2009, 09:06 (Ref:2488858)

Quote:

Originally Posted by helterskelter

If I were Thommo I'd rather stick to the Btcc. He's already doing the Dtc in a works car, doing fantastically in the UK and I wouldn't go out in a Lada without knowing where I would be compared to the others. As you said, I'd rather go for the Btcc title, which he can achieve, realistically.
But, unfortunately, I'm not him

Totally agree, its not a good time for Thommo to jump ship from either catogery when he stands a great chance of taking the title in both. I would have thought he has obligations to stay with Dynamics.
I also don't think WTCC is the place to be over and above BTCC, the championship seems a bit of a mess with the regulations and does he really want to be in a Lada running at the back initally?, top driver deserves a top drive at Thommo's level IMO.

THIM · 23 Jun 2009, 16:44 (Ref:2489165)

That's why he will probably drive just the non-colliding with BTCC and DTC rounds...

Hazard · 23 Jun 2009, 17:11 (Ref:2489177)

Not a shock. Don't see what Thompson will gain from it though.

Craner Curves · 23 Jun 2009, 19:32 (Ref:2489280)

Probably more what the team will gain from it?

werner · 23 Jun 2009, 20:00 (Ref:2489303)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Not a shock. Don't see what Thompson will gain from it though.

Money probably.

THIM · 23 Jun 2009, 20:49 (Ref:2489343)

If he's very lucky, he may even reach some independant driver.

helterskelter · 25 Jun 2009, 00:58 (Ref:2490163)

Check out our latest news with some more details. I think that, just as he did with the Honda Civic, James is going to surprise a lot of people. But we will see... Anyway, who said this story wasn't true?

cmk · 25 Jun 2009, 02:05 (Ref:2490180)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

Not a shock. Don't see what Thompson will gain from it though.

At worst, he gets to race a touring car damn near every weekend. There are worse fates!

**FIRE** · 26 Jun 2009, 09:00 (Ref:2490929)

Photos of new Lada:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76530
http://img218.imageshack.us/i/zolder609005.jpg/

Looks not bad

JMeissner · 26 Jun 2009, 10:17 (Ref:2490961)

A few more pics here:

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=3645

werner · 26 Jun 2009, 11:00 (Ref:2490980)

The pictures are taken in Zolder, at least the one on touringcartimes in the pitlane. I thought I'd read somewhere that there was no opportunity for Thompson to test the car before the first race in Portugal? Was that a mere guess, or is this test arranged at the last minute?

helterskelter · 26 Jun 2009, 17:46 (Ref:2491237)

I guess it was done on Thursday, the day after I wrote the story. My info was that Thompson was going to have no testing or a shakedown shortly before Porto, so it was possibly planned for next week right before the trukcs left Holland to Portugal. They probably managed to make the car complete before than expected, which enabled them to test. And I'm Glad that happened! Go Thommo!

**touringlegend** · 26 Jun 2009, 17:53 (Ref:2491241)

Reminds me a bit of the Chevy Lacetti, whilst it wasn't the worlds best looking car, lets hope the Lada can end up winning sometime.

Hazard · 26 Jun 2009, 18:27 (Ref:2491266)

I know I'm going to go to bed, screaming, trying to get to sleep, but it won't help to get the image out of my mind...whilst muttering over and over "those wheel arches, those wheel arches..."

stedevil · 27 Jun 2009, 06:50 (Ref:2491466)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

I know I'm going to go to bed, screaming, trying to get to sleep, but it won't help to get the image out of my mind...whilst muttering over and over "those wheel arches, those wheel arches..."

Hehe, IMO they are and advantage. They almost completely mask the fact that it's a Priora, which IMO is a butt ugly car.

Still, hope Lada will start getting into the points soon. And Tommo is just the guy they need to get things sorted.

redshoes · 27 Jun 2009, 09:05 (Ref:2491508)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazard

I know I'm going to go to bed, screaming, trying to get to sleep, but it won't help to get the image out of my mind...whilst muttering over and over "those wheel arches, those wheel arches..."

You'd better start getting used to it. Under NGTC's standard width rule most BTCC cars are going to need them.

duke_toaster · 27 Jun 2009, 09:27 (Ref:2491518)

All they need is a BTC-T style door sill

helterskelter · 27 Jun 2009, 19:10 (Ref:2491698)

Looks a lot like the 110. That's why they're using spare parts of the 110 on the Priora, too... Anyway, Thommo's going to be heavy for the first 2 events, it's gonna be even harder for him to get into the points. I'm confident he can and will, though!

Icebaby · 28 Jun 2009, 11:50 (Ref:2492655)

Im suprised Thompson has taken the drive as he has plenty of options to drive a car that can win races although i suspect this one comes with a pay packet, a link below of Thompson in testing action..

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....va-resized.JPG

cmk · 29 Jun 2009, 22:11 (Ref:2493590)

And it's questionable whether other offers would be quite as copacetic with him honouring his Hartmann Honda and Team Dynamics deals where he has his best chance of driving cars that win races...

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