BTCC: Kristensen joins Thompson to form Honda BTCC Line-Up for 2000
10 December 1999
Danish motor racing sensation Tom Kristensen is to join Team Honda Sport's assault on in the British Touring Car Championship next season. The 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours victor and former F3000 race winner will partner British hot-shot James Thompson in the pace-setting Accord to form one of the strongest driver line-ups in the series. After two years as a Honda works driver in the German touring car championship, the 32-year-old Kristensen has established himself as one of the leading Super Touring drivers in the world. Stunning displays in the latter part of 1999 enabled the Dane to finish the season in third place with three victories and a further six podium finishes. Honda introduced the all-new Accord - built by race car specialists Fosstech and run in Britain by West Surrey Racing - into its motorsport programme in 1999. The success of the new Accord in Britain (five wins) and Germany (four wins) made it comfortably the most successful new car in the history of the Super Touring category. Kristensen's status as a national hero in his homeland was recently underlined when he was honoured as Denmark's Driver of the Century. His arrival in the BTCC is sure to swell Scandinavian interest in the championship. "I am really excited about the prospect of driving for Honda in the BTCC," said a delighted Kristensen, who became a father for the second time 10 days ago. "The Honda Accord made a really impressive debut this year and I am sure it will be a title-contender in 2000. The BTCC is the most competitive series in the world and I am looking forward to partnering James and racing in Britain." "Tom has impressed everyone at Honda over the course of the past two years," confirmed William De Braekeleer, Motorsport Manager, Honda Motor Europe. "His run towards the end of last season was stunning and we have no doubt that he will be a great addition to the British squad. He and James will form a dynamic partnership and our ambition this season is to win the title." Tom will carry out his first test with West Surrey Racing at Brands Hatch tomorrow Thursday December 9th. Team Honda Sport will confirm the final make-up of its European motorsport programme in the course of the next few weeks.