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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">BTCC</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">01/04/2004</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">VX Racing Raring To Go </FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">Thompson Warms Up For The London Marathon </FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2"><B>VX Racing Raring To Go For BTCC Season Opener At Thruxton As Thompson Warms Up For The London Marathon </B><BR> <BR> VX Racing is ready to commence battle and defend its triple-triple BTCC titles in the opening round of the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton on Easter weekend, with VX Racing driver James Thompson set to compete in the London Marathon a week later. <BR> <BR> The team and drivers have worked hard in the off-season to develop the Vauxhall Astra Coupés, and sustain race-winning pace for the new season, but Thompson has been focusing on another project as well as his racing – his fitness.<BR> <BR> Thompson will run the 26-mile race with his former engineer, VX Racing’s John Morton, in order to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. However, Thompson is beginning to feel the pressure. “I did the marathon a couple of years ago”, Thompson explains, “but it was a last minute thing and no one knew I was doing it. This time everyone knows about it, so I have to do well! I completed it in around three hours and 27 minutes, so I’m aiming to beat that. <BR> <BR> “Marie Curie is such a worthwhile cause, the nurses have helped my family, and many others, and this is a great way of giving something back. I’m forfeiting all my chocolate Easter eggs this year and asking for Marie Curie donations instead!”<BR> <BR> Current BTCC champion driver, Yvan Muller, will compete alongside Thompson for VX Racing, with young gun Luke Hines in the third Vauxhall Astra Coupé. The defending champions are prepared for strong competition from other teams, but also from within the three-car squad. At a recent test at Donington Park Thompson topped the time sheets, but Muller finished the test less than two tenths of a second behind.<BR> <BR> Last year at Thruxton… despite qualifying fourth on the grid, Yvan Muller won both races, with a top (race) speed of 104.26mph<BR> <BR> Rumour has it that James Thompson is refusing to cut his hair for the rest of season - the result of a friendly wager!<BR> <BR> Luke Hines will be running with the number 57 on his car. Originally a prank by the VX Racing mechanics, the link to the famous food manufacturer is set to continue<BR> <BR> Yvan Muller returns as a double champion – not only did he win the 2003 BTCC drivers’ title, during the winter he was crowned as the Andros Trophy ice racing champion for an amazing eighth time<BR> <BR> <B>The VX Racing Guide to Thruxton</B><BR> “Thruxton is a good circuit to drive, it’s one of the fastest in Europe. The Campbell complex is usually the place for action, and if anyone is going to have an off or a crash it will be there. I’d say the best place for spectators to watch is either at the Club chicane or at Campbell, you’re bound to see some fun and games at both of them.”<BR> <BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>