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 former double British Touring Car Champion claimed 21 points with his Alfa Romeo 156 in Anderstorp and Oschersleben whilst the Championship leader Augusto Farfus only took 13 points with the reigning Champion Andy Priaulx scoring 12 points. The other point scorers to make it into double-figures during this period were Gabriele Tarquini collected (16), Robert Huff (13), Tiago Monteiro (12), while Nicola Larini, Tom Coronel and Rikard Rydell collected 10.

“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.