Team HARD. Racing has today (11 March) revealed that Bobby Thompson will be joining the CUPRA squad for the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as the 25-year-old undertakes his fourth campaign in Britain's premier motorsport series.
Thompson joined the team in 2018, fresh off the back of clinching the VW Racing Cup the year prior. Securing points in his debut season, the Essex-based driver continued with the squad in 2019 before making the switch to GKR TradePriceCars.com in 2020.
A considerable crash in his Audi S3 Saloon at Croft resulted in Thompson taking a year out of the series in 2021 and, for 2022, he's ready to hit the ground running, having already tested the CUPRA Leon at Brands Hatch last month.
"It's really good to be back in the BTCC with the team I started my journey with," said Thompson. "I've come a long way since I was last with Team HARD, and I can already see the team is clearly putting in a massive effort to get these cars ready to be fighting at the front for the upcoming season.
"I have a great history with the team, having won the 2017 VW Cup Championship which got me on the map. So it's great to be back, and hopefully we can continue great success and challenge for the Jack Sears Trophy this year.
"It's always tough to miss out on a season, as I did after my crash at Croft in 2020 which put me out for the remainder of the campaign. I wanted to get back last year, but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. I took that time, however, to reflect upon my racing career and it only made me more motivated than ever to get back to the front of the field in the most competitive series in the UK.
"I'd like to thank my partners who are helping me to get back onto the grid, and to Tony [Gilham] also. I can’t wait to get going at the test day in a few weeks. Bring it on!"
Racing under the Autobrite Direct with Team HARD. Racing banner, Thompson partners Jack Goff, with the pair aiming to bring their CUPRAs to the sharp end of the grid this season.
"It's really good news to have Bobby back in one of our BTCC cars," added Tony Gilham, Team HARD. Racing Managing Director. "We have a long history together, which started way back in the VW Cup where, of course, he secured the championship with us in 2017.
"In 2020 while competing in the Audi for Trade Price Cars, Bobby started to show the consistency required to be a top-level BTCC driver. Unfortunately, his accident took him out of the remaining rounds and for 2021. However, after a recent test, Bobby looks like he is fit and ready to attack head-on in one of our CUPRA Leons.
"Bobby has built up a great reputation within the BTCC paddock over the last few years and it’s great to be able to welcome him back into the team with open arms. I'm sure he's going to prove to be one of the fan favourites this season. We can't wait to get going!"
