The British round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), which takes place at Brands Hatch from 26/27 July, will see three home-grown competitors going head-to-head for glory.

As well as three-time FIA WTCC champion Andy Priaulx, who is hoping to make it four titles in a row this year in his BMW 320Si, and Chevrolet’s
up-and-coming talent Rob Huff, James Thompson will be gunning for the Brands Hatch victory with his Honda Accord Euro R Super 2000.

The Yorkshireman is one of the most popular and successful British drivers on the touring car scene, with two British Touring Car titles (in 2002 and 2004) already behind him. Although he is only 34, he already has plenty of experience behind him after starting his professional career in 1994. The following year he became the youngest-ever person at the time to win a British Touring Car Championship race, aged just 21.

‘Thommo’ drove for Honda from 1997 to 2000 in Britain, before graduating to the World Touring Car Championship in 2005. He has been at the sharp end ever since, finishing third in the championship last year and claiming a second place at Brands Hatch.

“I must admit, I really wanted the win there and I’ll be aiming for it again this year,” he said. “We were fastest during both the free practice sessions on Sunday and again during most of qualifying on Saturday, so a victory was definitely on the cards but we just couldn’t convert it. Second was actually almost worse than coming sixth! You’re tantalisingly close to the best prize and that drives you mad, especially when you’ve got all the hope and expectation of a home crowd.”

Thompson’s N.Technology team is also determined to go one better at Brands Hatch this year. The Italian outfit running the Honda Accord Euro R Super 2000 this season also ran the Alfa Romeo used by Thompson to claim second at Brands Hatch in 2007.

Tickets are already on sale via the Brands Hatch website with adult admission on Sunday 27 July costing £30 at the gate, but only £24 if you book online at www.motorsportvision.co.uk. An online weekend ticket costs £34 while children aged 12 and under go free.
 
Grandstand seating starts at £5 and the Raceday Pit Walkabout, which opens at 09:00 on Sunday, costs £12. Advance booking is available online and from the Ticket Hotline on 0870 950 9000. Advance ticket purchases to watch some of the world’s closest racing close at noon on Wednesday 23 July.