29.07.2004 BRITISH TOURING CAR regular James Thompson, who is once again joining AutoDelta this weekend at Spa, is expected to join them on a full time basis next year to race in the inaugural WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

British Touring Car regular, and sometime AutoDelta European Touring Car driver, James Thompson, is believe to have signed a contract with Alfa Romeo to contest next year's inaugural FIA-sanctioned World Touring Car Championship.

Thompson, who drove for AutoDelta at the Donington Park ETCC round last month, is once again joining the factory outfit at Spa this coming weekend.

At Donington, the 30-year-old London-based Yorkshire, was drafted in to drive a fourth Alfa Romeo 156 S2000 with a brief to take points away from BMW-mounted rivals. This task he achieved successfully, claiming a win and a third place from the two races.

Thompson has raced in the highly competitive British Touring Car Championship for ten years. He joined the series in 1994 at the wheel of a Peugeot in the Independent's Cup, with good performances helping him to scoop up a drive with Vauxhall, before two seasons later heading to Honda.

His final year with the Japanese firm in 2000, also saw him taking in a German DTM programme with Audi, before he returned for a second spell with Vauxhall.

In his first year back behind the wheel of a Vauxhall  he finish third in the series driving a Team Egg Sport-run car. It went on to get better as he became 2002 BTCC Champion with VX Racing after fighting off team mate Yvan Muller right down to the last round. Last year roles were reversed as Thompson pressurised Muller until the very last race before conceding his crown to the Frenchman.

He also won one ETCC race at Monza, after being drafted in by AutoDelta to assist Gabriele Tarquini's title push.

This year, again, Thompson and Muller are once again are neck and neck in the series. With six rounds completed, and four remaining, it couldn't be closer. Muller has 177 points and Thompson 174 points, while their nearest rival, the MG Z-S driver Anthony Reid, on 132 points, is well adrift.

Now a season in the exciting new World Touring Car Championship beckons for 2005.