 Thompson is leaving VX Racing with another title to his name |
Vauxhall driver James Thompson sealed the British Touring Car Championship for the second time in three years with a composed display at Donington Park. Reigning champion Yvan Muller, his team-mate, won the final race but finished an agonising point behind.
Muller spun and was seventh in race one but took it to a decider with a second in race two as Thompson finished fifth.
Thompson's third place would have tied the standings but he collected a bonus point for the fastest lap.
"It's just fantastic. I could never have finished this season as number two," said Thompson, who announced earlier this month that he would leave VX Racing at the end of this season.
"I'm absolutely elated. To walk away from Vauxhall as number two would not have been the way to go."
Race 1:
1 Jason Plato (Gbr) SEAT 19mins 59.460secs
2 James Thompson (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 20:04.554
3 Colin Turkington (Gbr) MG ZS 20:04.921
4 Michael Bentwood (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 20:06.233
5 Anthony Reid (Gbr) MG ZS 20:08.497
6 Luke Hines (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 20:14.010
7 Yvan Muller Fra Vauxhall Astra Coupe 20:15.329
8 Dan Eaves (Gbr) Honda Civic Type-R 20:15.668
9 Tom Chilton (Gbr) Honda Civic Type-R 20:16.644
10 Robert Huff (Gbr) SEAT 20:16.919
Race 2:
1 Tom Chilton (Gbr) Honda Civic Type-R 19:57.559
2 Yvan Muller Fra Vauxhall Astra Coupe 19:58.083
3 Dan Eaves (Gbr) Honda Civic Type-R 20:04.147
4 Anthony Reid (Gbr) MG ZS 20:07.795
5 James Thompson (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 20:09.000
6 Jason Plato (Gbr) SEAT 20:13.577
7 Colin Turkington (Gbr) MG ZS 20:14.939
8 Robert Collard (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 20:19.040
9 James Kaye (Gbr) Honda Civic Type-R 20:23.100
10 Luke Hines (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 20:24.008
Race 3:
1 Yvan Muller (Fra) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 23:36.493
2 Jason Plato (Gbr) Seat Toledo Cupra 23:36.784
3 James Thompson (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 23:37.135
4 Dan Eaves (Gbr) Honda Civic Type-R 23:39.184
5 Robert Huff (Gbr) SEAT 23:39.624
6 Colin Turkington (Gbr) MG ZS 23:43.173
7 Robert Collard (Gbr) Vauxhall Astra Coupe 23:45.346
8 Anthony Reid (Gbr) MG ZS 23:45.680
9 James Kaye (Gbr) Honda Civic Type-R 23:46.237
10 Stefan Hodgetts (Gbr) Alfa Romeo 156 Gta 23:55.022
Championship Standings:
1 James Thompson 263pts
2 Yvan Muller 257
3 Jason Plato 212
4 Anthony Reid 210
5 Matt Neal 181
MMIX
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