Thompson Considers Options
With less than a fortnight to go to the penultimate event in the Formula BMW series, title challenger Gary Thompson is already laying the groundwork for next season.
Thompson, who leads the Rookie Cup standings and lies second overall in the Formula BMW Pacific championship in his first season of car racing, has a number of offers with top single-seater teams in Asia and Europe for next season and is edging closer to a decision.
The Donabate teenager has had a long standing offer to race with a front running team in the Japanese Formula 3 series next year and this remains his preferred option.
However, several teams have requested that holds off on a final decision until he tests with them and, to that end, Thompson is preparing to test a Formula Masters car run by title winning team Jenzer Motorsport at Hungaroring next month.
In addition, no less than five teams in the new F1 support series, GP3, have tabled offers to Gary who is currently mulling over the pros and cons of running in the start up championship.
As well as that, two teams operating in Formula Renault Eurocup series have expressed an interest in running the highly rated Dubliner.
It’s a convenient headache for Thompson who is likely to hold off on making a final choice until the completion of his maiden car race season which resumes at Okayama, Japan the weekend after next.
“It’s a good situation to be in, to be honest, but I’m not going to make any hasty decisions,” says Thompson. “The Japanese F3 team offer has been on the table for a long time and it looks the right way to go at the moment.
“It’s a heavily subsidised drive with a team that have put their faith in my ability with an offer from early in the season. Having said that, I’m always open to discussion and I’ll think over it carefully and talk to my dad before I make a final decision.
“It’s more important right now that I focus on the work at hand in the Formula BMW Asia series with my team, E-Rain. It’s all about making the most of the opportunities I have this year in my Aviation Display/Cebu Pacific supported car and next year will take care of itself.”
Thompson and his team will depart for Osaka on board Asia's third largest low cost carrier, Cebu Pacific, next Tuesday, 27th October. The team receives full support from Cebu Pacific which operates three weekly flights from Osaka to Manila, Philippines.
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