Ireland’s hottest motorsport prospect Gary Thompson made a good start to his Japanese F3 Championship bid at Suzuka last weekend where the 18-year-old showed strong pace to record a podium finish, before claiming fastest lap during a spirited race two comeback drive.
The Aviation Display-backed Dubliner qualified an excellent third in the National Class for both races at the Japanese Grand Prix venue and again demonstrated his turn of speed in the weekend’s opening round.
First, Thompson engaged in a see-saw battle for second place before finally sealing the position a few laps in. That tussle had allowed the leader to up open a comfortable advantage, but it was soon pegged back by the charging SGC by KCMG Dallara which, despite numerous attempts, was unable to find a way past.
While race one was a showcase of the Cebu Pacific Air-supported youngster’s speed, the second would be a demonstration in racecraft. Making his customary first lap charge, Thompson was desperately seeking a way past the car ahead when he spun. Dropping to the tail of the field, he spent the rest of the race fighting back through the pack, setting fastest lap in the process, en route to sixth place.
That fighting performance, as well as race one’s podium, sees Thompson sit joint-third in the early championship standings with 14 races still remaining.
Gary Thompson: “The team has made massive progress since last season which was really noticeable in the car. I was able to get a lot more out of it and certainly had the pace in race one to take victory. Second was a good start though. Then, in race two, the lap one move was probably a bit bold given it was so early in the season. Consistency will be key to winning this title so I will learn the lesson and move on. Clearly we again had the performance to score a podium result but it was good to show that I’m just as comfortable carving through the field as I am running in clear air at the front.”
As well as racing in Japan, last week saw Thompson made an Ambassador for the Irish Road Safety Authority which aims to improve driving standards on the country’s roads.
“Obviously it’s a great honour to be working with the authority. While in motorsport we travel at much greater speed, the risk of accident is minimised by the standard of driving. Personally I’m very proud to be playing a part in such an important cause.”
Thompson returns to the track in two weeks time at the Fuji International Speedway for a test session with his SGC by KCMG team ahead of the championship’s second round there on June 11/12.
