Bobby Thompson wants ‘top seven in the championship and to lead in independents’

Bobby Thompson showed what the Team HARD Cupra was capable of, leaving the 26-year-old feeling “absolutely mega” after second place at Brands Hatch Indy.

After qualifying and finishing in sixth in race one, the pace of the car was clear to see. After a disappointing race two falling from sixth to eleventh the weekend looked as if it could unravel. Then came reverse grid pole.

“Absolutely mega. It’s something that I’ve been thinking about the last couple of weeks because I know the changes we made in the car and I had some sort of idea that it was going to be there or thereabouts,” said Thompson to TouringCars.Net.

“I’m happy that we got the P2 and I’m happy that we’re doing well in the independents. I’m equally as happy that we’re able to now fight for the rest of the year in terms of chassis. A few other bits we’ve got to go back with and learn and adapt but that’s what testing is all about and essentially whilst we’re racing here we’re adapting as we go along.”

There was a lot of caution with the CUPRAs after they were only just built in time for the opening round at Donington Park. Despite this, the team knew what changes they had to make to get the car somewhat competitive come round two.

“It was a big change. The way we had the car before, we could race around P7 all day and P6 was a good win for us. The way we’ve got the car now, we should be very good in the top five and that’s where you need to be to make stuff happen in BTCC.”

This being said there is still some work to be done for the team to be pushing up at the front end of the grid consistently. Thompson and the team know the areas in which they have to strengthen though.

“There’s something that we need to go back and look at on straight-line speed-wise. I think it’s drag. The job M-Sport are doing is fantastic. I think it’s more of a drag issue on our side, just due to not only being down to others but against my teammates with equal power.

“So that’s something on my car. Which you’d expect with a new car, a brand new car built this winter. So yeah you’re going to get those bits that need to wear in and all work together.”

All this positivity bodes well for the team and driver for the season ahead and it is very clear what Thompson is aiming for come the Grand Prix circuit in October.

“I want to come back to this place on the GP, top seven in the championship and leading
in independents and hopefully a win as well.”