Thompson admit defeat.....

[Croft fan]

What is he going on about, he is 25 points behind with over 60 left to play for. Ofcourse he still has a chance.
Stop being stupid James, get out there and fight for the title, Muller is always bad around Donington, so there is always something to hope for. Dont give up and let us the fans down. We want to see the title go down to the last round at Oulton.

I maybe a Muller fan, (the thing at Brands will not change that) but come on Thompson make him work for it. The best man will win and if thats James then fine by me. He will deserve it.

[Amanda]

I haven't actually read this article but a friend was telling me she read it on Ceefax.

I think it is a great shame if James has given up the fight with so many points still up for grabs. Don't let us down James ~ take the title fight down to the wire!

We will all be there at Donington and Oulton cheering for you.

[The Stig]

Thommo shouldn't be resigned to defeat this year, anything can happen and probably will, (As Murray Walker once said). So come on James get stuck in and make the volatile Frenchman earn his title.

[Claw]

Sorry, but it shows what sort of driver Thompson is. Giving up with 4 rounds left, and he's been around long enough to know, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

I've never been a Thompson fan anyway. Neal's the real hero! :D

[Croft fan]

Sorry, but it shows what sort of driver Thompson is. Giving up with 4 rounds left, and he's been around long enough to know, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

I must agree with you, Claw. Muller could have been banned fpr the two Donington races and then Thompson could have won both rounds and been leading the championship. I acctually think its a bit of a mind game, as it might make Muller easy off and then when he does he would be there ready to win. But you never know what goes through peoples minds.

[Emma]

I don't think he's giving up... just making Muller think he is so he backs off a bit.... they are just trying to psych each other out a bit!

Anyone see Petter Solberg do the same thing to Richard Burns in the WRC a couple of rounds ago... ? He then took great delight in jumping around in front of Burnsie's car when he beat him!

[The Stig]

Not sure if Thommo is attempting mind games. Yvan Muller still has to win the thing. That is the point, Muller cannot relax this early because Thommo is good enough to take the thing down to the wire. Two mechanical failures for Muller closes the thing up again. Don't want to be devils advocate, but team politics or preference will have a greater influence than anything else.

[thommo_fan]

Thommo hasn't given up, he is just playing mind games with muller.

There was a shorter version of what james said on ceefax and at the end he said 'but of course i'll still fight on'.

does anyone really think james has given up with 70 points still up for grabs, remember with four races left last year thommo had a 24 point lead but he and muller were level on points with two races left.

and i don't agree that the biggest factor in who wins the title will be team orders or team polictics. thats just silly

[Claire]

I agree that James shouldn't give up just yet, in motorsport anything can happen.

I'm afraid though that team orders and tactics will come into it somewhere, Muller has been beaten twice already for the championship and he won't want that happening again. I may be a sceptic but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more bad pit stops and engine probelms for the other 2 VX cars or if Paul continues to do well him being asked to move over to let the other two through. Others may not agree but this is my opinion and I am entitled to post it. :rolleyes:

[Peter]

Sadly, I think this is Muller's year. JT has had some unfortunate problems this year, notably the death of his father and its consequences. James has also struggled with the new Dunlop tyres, as Muller was given all the tyre testing prior to the start of the season. Thus Thommo really hasn't been on the pace during the races. I therefore feel there is possibly quite a bit of truth in Thompson's sentiments. You could say that Muller was able to close up on a big deficit last season, but that was down to Yvan punting James off at Brands- Thompson would never contemplate returning the favour- and thank god for that too.

[Emma]

You could say that Muller was able to close up on a big deficit last season, but that was down to Yvan punting James off at Brands- Thompson would never contemplate returning the favour- and thank god for that too.

Wouldn't he???? Don't you remember the incident at Oulton Park when he drove Plato off the circuit and then tried to explain it at the post-race interview by saying "I don't know, I just don't know" several times.....

[Peter]

Originally posted by Emma
Wouldn't he???? Don't you remember the incident at Oulton Park when he drove Plato off the circuit and then tried to explain it at the post-race interview by saying "I don't know, I just don't know" several times.....

You raise a very good point. However, that incident did occur four years ago and I do feel that James has matured a great deal since then. I do not remember any controversial moves on JT's part in the last three seasons.

[Emma]

True.... he probably gets enough crash action whilst rallying!!!

But, if the championship came down to the last corner and he had the chance to "innocently" assist Muller off the track to win it, I'm sure he would??? - I would!!!

[Simon Bentley]

Dear Croft fan,

Dead right, Thommo is right in there with a fighting chance, remember Donington last year when it came down to the wire and Yvan blew it ?? I may be biased being a Yorkshireman, but I do not think James will give up his title that easily and definitely think there may be some psyching out going on!!

Regards

Simon

[Toto]

Originally posted by Amanda
I haven't actually read this article but a friend was telling me she read it on Ceefax.

I think it is a great shame if James has given up the fight with so many points still up for grabs. Don't let us down James ~ take the title fight down to the wire!

We will all be there at Donington and Oulton cheering for you.
Huh? The story's top of the tocatour website home page and you posted this on the same site? How could you miss it?

[Amanda]

Toto ~ if you read my post you will see that I am referring to an article on Ceefax not the one on the webiste!

[Sarah]

Just after Brands there was a quote from James on Ceefax saying that it would be very difficult for him to win the Championship but that he would continue trying. I don't believe that James would not try anyway it is not his style.

[The Stig]

thommo_fan,
It's a fact, politics are not just confined to Westminster. Maybe they won't be "the" deciding factor this year, but they've certainly played a part in years gone by.

[thommo_fan]

i cant deny that politics have played a part in seasons gone by, but vauxhall haven't used team orders or anything in the past two season so i really don't see any reason they will this year.
Vauxhall are all but certain of winning the drivers, manufaacturers and teams titles again this year, where as if they were still fighting for the 3 titles i would expect team orders to be employed.

[Amanda]

You are right Vauxhall don't use team orders but sadly the same can't be said for 888. If you have been watching carefully you will have seen plenty of examples this year already, they are not always obvious!

[Croft fan]

Come on then Amanda give us some examples. I can not remember any from the top of my head, but if there is any (not that I'm, saying your lieing) it is bound to involve Paul O'neil, he always getts the raw end of the stick.

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Oh I do love a consipracy Amanda ;) :p

[Croft fan]

Well unfortunatly it looks as if the championship is now over, but stanger things have happened. If there is the possibility of wining then u should never give up. Muller could retire from both races and Thompson win both. Hope that dose not happen.
I do think it is Mullers year. Was not there to see it but it must have been a good drive yesterday to go from 26th to 3. He will be a worthy champion.
Well done Muller.

Anyone know if he is doing the Andros this year?

[Vicky]

Yes he is!

[Nikh_mg]

26th to 3rd? You sure, I missed the start of race 1 but he should have been 18th, last of the BTCT cars. I think Turkingtons was more impressive from 14th to 2nd in an MG

[VkmSpouge]

2003 is Yvan's year and he is a worthy champion, though I haven't given up entirely on Thompson and will still hope for him come Oulton Park.

[The Stig]

Has James' participation in some or all of this years British Rally Championship detracted from his challenge for the BTCC ?

YM probably has the championship sewn up now - barring some bizarre mis-haps. Personally, I cannot abide the bloke but I hope he defends "his title" next year. We'll see !!

Hasn't it been exciting recently though watching Colin Turkington ? Give "Turky" a decent car in 2004 and watch him fly. He was terrific at Donington.

[Emma]

barring any bizarre mishaps


Any change it might involve the lake????:D :D :D

[Croft fan]

Hasn't it been exciting recently though watching Colin Turkington ? Give "Turky" a decent car in 2004 and watch him fly. He was terrific at Donington.

I think th MG has come on loads recently and thing it will only get stonger next year. He already has a good drive and a car capable of winning the championship.
Turkinton 2004 champion.