Thompson Silverstone Bound
Added: 16th June 2009
Dublin's Asian Ace Takes European Bow
Dubliner Gary Thompson makes his shortest commute of the season this weekend when he travels to Silverstone to race in the Formula BMW Europe series on the support bill to the British Grand Prix.
Thompson, the current leader of the Formula BMW Asia series, will be making the first of three guest appearances in the European championship this weekend, racing with the Raikkonen Robertson team part owned by Ferrari's 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen.
With podium finishes in five of the first six races in Asia, Thompson is looking forward to testing himself in the European arena and the seventeen-year-old from Donabate, Co Dublin is not fazed by the challenge of arriving into the series after several events.
"I'm really looking forward to this weekend for loads of reasons," says Gary. Firstly, it's the closest race of the season to Ireland and because it's the British Grand Prix there should be loads of Irish support to add to the buzz.
"It's also a new championship for me and because I'm not going for the title in Europe it'll be no problem to relax and focus just on the weekend. The only pressure on me is my own determination to do well.
"I'm also looking forward to working with a new team this weekend. I'm really enjoying racing with E-Rain Motorsport in Asia and this weekend with Raikkonen Robertson will be another opportunity to gain experience," adds the Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Driver of the Month for April.
This weekend's schedule includes two races for the Formula BMW Europe competitors. Race one is at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon and the young racers will be back for another 13 laps of the 5.1km circuit on Sunday morning at 8.20.
Thompson will also take part in events counting for the Formula BMW Europe series at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix.
This year's Formula BMW Pacific series takes in events at Formula One Grands Prix in Malaysia, and Singapore as well as events in Japan, Indonesia and the world famous Macau Grand Prix festival.
-ENDS-
For further information contact Declan Quigley: +353 87 6848586
www.garythompsonracing.com
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