If the FIA World Touring Car Championship was decided on race wins alone, N.Technology Alfa Romeo’s James Thompson would be leading the title chase going into this weekend’s rounds at Brno. The 33-year-old Briton is one of only three drivers to take two victories so far this season, and the only one to have done so in one weekend after a stunning performance in Valencia, Spain, last month.

Following a less encouraging round at Pau, France last time out on 3 June, in which his weekend was frustrated at the outset by a puncture in qualifying, Thompson is now optimistic of better results in this weekend’s Czech Republic racing encounter. “I don’t think lightning’s going to strike twice and give us another double like at Valencia,” said Thompson, who was British Touring Car Champion in 2002 and 2004. “But I would like to think we’d be in contention for a podium at least.”

Brno has proved a tough trial for N.Technology Alfa Romeo in the past, with the team taking just two victories at the fast, sweeping circuit in the last five years. Thompson is certain, however, fans should see an improvement on his results at the narrow, tricky street circuit of Pau. “Brno is a much quicker track so I’m hoping it will play to our strengths,” he said. “The average speed is much higher, with some pretty good medium-to-high speed corners and good long runs, which suits my driving style so I’m really looking forward to it.”
 

Dutch youngster Olivier Tielemans who is in his rookie WTCC year, will once again be driving the second N.Technology entered Alfa Romeo 156 at Brno; and after steadily improving all season, he will be hoping for his first points finish of the year on the historic track which is synonymous with international touring car racing through the decades. Round nine and ten will take place in Brno, Czech Republic on 17 June 2007. Live WTCC coverage begins Saturday 16 June with qualifying on Eurosport 2 at 15:00 (CET) followed by race one on Sunday at 11:45 (CET) and race two at 15:30 (CET) on Eurosport International.

Meanwhile Autosport reports that N.Technology boss Mauro Sipsz joined WTCC chief Marcelo Lotti on a trip to Japan last week. Lotti made the visit to the Far East to meet with officials from the Suzuka and Fuji circuits as the series seeks to add a Japanese date from either next year or 2009. He was also talking to manufacturers Honda and Mazda about possible official participation, and with N.Technology currently without a programme for 2008 as Alfa Romeo's involvement will end this year, it is believed the Italian concern was courting these two car makers.