New Lada Driver Announced: James Thompson - Page 2

**FIRE** · 1 Jun 2009, 20:43 (Ref:2473650)

The PR man of LADA Sport is co-owner of Symtech Racing (prepares Subaru rally cars). Russian Bears will move to the workshops of Symtech, but the Belgian team will not be involved in the WTCC project. Reason for the move is because Belgian is more central in Europe and close to circuits.

Source: http://www.autosportvideo.be/pitstop2009/?p=2041

Corthals seems unlikely to me because he's racing for SEAT in BTCS.

stedevil · 1 Jun 2009, 20:53 (Ref:2473655)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Reason for the move is because Belgian is more central in Europe and close to circuits.

???

Driving from 1 end to the other of both Netherlands and Belgium takes like 1-1½h. If you are competing in WTCC, surely that is a negligible distance difference.

**FIRE** · 1 Jun 2009, 21:05 (Ref:2473662)

Russian Bears is based in the north-west of Holland. To drive to the Belgian border you need 2.5 to 3 hours. Besides that Belgian is close to Zolder, Spa and Nurburgring.

helterskelter · 1 Jun 2009, 21:22 (Ref:2473672)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Corthals seems unlikely to me because he's racing for SEAT in BTCS.

Well everyone we mentioned has some duties

Is he a works driver for Seat? I don't even know what BTCS is, TBH

**FIRE** · 2 Jun 2009, 08:44 (Ref:2473877)

BTCS = Belgian Touring Car Series
http://www.btcseries.be

He drives a SEAT Leon Supercopa with backing from Seat Belgium.

JMeissner · 2 Jun 2009, 09:33 (Ref:2473890)

Jaap Van Lagen comments the matter:

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=3567

And Huisman denies being the Lada driver.

steve nielsen · 2 Jun 2009, 12:10 (Ref:2473979)

I think they will have to pay a lot of money to get a top driver in that Lada at the moment.

stedevil · 2 Jun 2009, 14:17 (Ref:2474047)

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve nielsen

I think they will have to pay a lot of money to get a top driver in that Lada at the moment.

What do you mean? For all we know the Priora could be a huge leap forward and win races from the moment it hits the track. Or do you have some inside information?

helterskelter · 2 Jun 2009, 14:30 (Ref:2474054)

More news on the subject, lads. van Lagen told me that Shapovalov is out, he'll just manage the team. The new driver will continue until Macau, which rules out Giovanardi. van Lagen and Ladygin get the Priora from Oschersleben on. The contract has already been signed, which rules out all the rumours that Lada were 'waiting for an answer'.
To me, the most likely are now Thompson and Corthals. Thommo would have to skip Rockingham, though, and I don't know how his contract is with Team Dynamics. The same goes for Corthals, he'd have to skip Spa.
We'll see...!

THIM · 2 Jun 2009, 14:58 (Ref:2474064)

Is it mentioned somewhere, that the new driver will take part in all rounds till Macau? If not, we can't outcross anyone, who would have to be in two places at the same time.

helterskelter · 2 Jun 2009, 15:19 (Ref:2474074)

I was on the phone with van Lagen and he said that the new driver is going to take part in all of the races of the Wtcc until the end of the season.

werner · 2 Jun 2009, 15:57 (Ref:2474107)

Quote:

Originally Posted by helterskelter

More news on the subject, lads. van Lagen told me that Shapovalov is out, he'll just manage the team. The new driver will continue until Macau, which rules out Giovanardi. van Lagen and Ladygin get the Priora from Oschersleben on. The contract has already been signed, which rules out all the rumours that Lada were 'waiting for an answer'.
To me, the most likely are now Thompson and Corthals. Thommo would have to skip Rockingham, though, and I don't know how his contract is with Team Dynamics. The same goes for Corthals, he'd have to skip Spa.
We'll see...!

Thompson has really kicked of his title-hunt, already having won 3 races this year in BTCC. It would be a shame if his attemts of becoming the first triple BTCC-champion in the 2-litre era would be hindered even more, having also missed the first round.
The BTCS is of a bit lower league, but I don't know PY's results in the series so far.
But it offcourse also is dependent of the terms in their contracts offcourse.

helterskelter · 2 Jun 2009, 16:02 (Ref:2474111)

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner

Thompson has really kicked of his title-hunt, already having won 3 races this year in BTCC. It would be a shame if his attemts of becoming the first triple BTCC-champion in the 2-litre era would be hindered even more, having also missed the first round.
The BTCS is of a bit lower league, but I don't know PY's results in the series so far.
But it offcourse also is dependent of the terms in their contracts offcourse.

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

**FIRE** · 2 Jun 2009, 17:08 (Ref:2474139)

I hope Thompson stays in BTCC (and DTC).

helterskelter · 2 Jun 2009, 18:44 (Ref:2474203)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

I hope Thompson stays in BTCC (and DTC).

So do I. He's competitive and he's enjoying himself. But he might think that Lada is a good opportunity for the future, especially if BMW (or Seat) and Chevy pull out, as it seems...

BootsOntheSide · 2 Jun 2009, 19:40 (Ref:2474243)

How good are Lada road cars these days? I don't drive or really keep up with raw road cars, so I don't know if they're still a laughing stock. Thompson has a genuine chance of the BTCC title this year, but maybe the idea of a third title isn't as big to him as the chance of a WTCC title push in 2010 (which is realistic if the new car is good and we do see some pullouts).

PDS · 2 Jun 2009, 19:56 (Ref:2474257)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

I hope Thompson stays in BTCC (and DTC).

I have been told that Thompson intends be racing in the BTCC for the remainder of the 2009 season! The only date clash that has not been resolved is a clash with a BTCC round and a V8 race.

So the WTCC story is not true.

helterskelter · 2 Jun 2009, 21:05 (Ref:2474325)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDS

I have been told that Thompson intends be racing in the BTCC for the remainder of the 2009 season! The only date clash that has not been resolved is a clash with a BTCC round and a V8 race.

So the WTCC story is not true.

Source...?

Alfa Fan · 8 Jun 2009, 11:16 (Ref:2477588)

Same as all of yours ever are, word of mouth.

werner · 8 Jun 2009, 11:47 (Ref:2477614)

Well, Helterskelter had his 'word of mouth' from Van Lagen, so if your source is Thompson himself, it would be nice. But given your reaction I presume that is not the case....

duke_toaster · 8 Jun 2009, 11:55 (Ref:2477623)

Stephen Kane would be a good option for them, but he doesn't have WTCC experience. He is already at the weekends.

helterskelter · 8 Jun 2009, 22:26 (Ref:2477988)

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner

Well, Helterskelter had his 'word of mouth' from Van Lagen, so if your source is Thompson himself, it would be nice. But given your reaction I presume that is not the case....

Exactly.

werner · 9 Jun 2009, 08:06 (Ref:2478191)

Can't you get in touch with Thompson? I know he and Giovanardi are on good terms, so there might be a lead.

PDS · 9 Jun 2009, 19:48 (Ref:2478639)

Quote:

Originally Posted by helterskelter

Source...?

Someone close to him.

helterskelter · 10 Jun 2009, 00:07 (Ref:2478802)

Right, we will see...

After all, this is a surprise for everyone and, among those four names, everyone will speculate.

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