Gary Thompson is hoping this weekend’s visit to the Fuji International Speedway will prove the catalyst for a sustained assault on this year’s Japanese Formula 3 Championship. The 19-year-old Dubliner, one of Ireland’s brightest motorsport prospects, sits third in the ultra-competitive National Class standings ahead of the championship’s second visit to the 4.563km former Grand Prix circuit inside just five weeks. Thompson was in impressive form at the picturesque venue overlooked by Mount Fuji back in June where the SGC by KCMG driver, backed by Aviation Display and Cebu Pacific Air, scored a double podium finish after earlier overcoming a handling imbalance en route to sixth.That made it three rostrums and two fastest laps in five starts this season, even if a victory still eludes him. And it’s that statistic Thompson is most keen to address in rounds six and seven.Thompson: “It’s imperative that we start reducing the championship lead this weekend. My stated aim for 2011 was to win the title and I still believe that’s a real possibility. Consistency has been key so far but we need to get a win or two under our belts to start putting pressure on the guys ahead. The speed has been there all along and it’s only a couple of small things that have prevented us from taking the next step. Fortunately in this championship you score points for pole position and fastest lap, as well as there being a big difference between first and second place, so you can claw back a lot of ground with a strong round. I intend to have one of those this weekend!”        Friday will be the first time Thompson has been back behind the wheel since Fuji last time out. But despite that lack of seat time, he remains confident the team has made improvements in all areas.  “The guys have been working hard to improve the car for the last month and we think we've made some progress. So we would therefore expect to be extremely competitive. The weather forecast looks good as well so, judging by our pace in the dry there last month, we should be in for a competitive weekend. The target has to be victories at this stage of the season.”