This weekend’s fourth round of the Japanese Formula 3 Championship at Twin Ring Motegi offers Gary Thompson a chance to re-ignite his National Class title challenge as the season passes its halfway point.After starting the 2011 campaign strongly with a string of podium finishes, the highly rated young Irishman endured a frustrating round at Fuji last time out where the unexpectedly hot conditions hindered his SGC by KCMG Dallara-Toyota’s set-up.But Thompson, supported in his title bid by Aviation Display and Cebu Pacific Air, doesn’t expect a repeat of those problems at Motegi, which was badly affected by the devastating earthquake that hit the county in March and led to the entire circuit being resurfaced.But despite the track’s alterations, Thompson is hopeful of going one better than his second place finish there last season in what turned out to be the best result of the 19-year-old Dubliner’s 2010 campaign. Conditions are expected to be largely the same at Motegi as they were in Fuji three weeks ago where the team worked hard to improve the car throughout the weekend. But while their similar characteristics will see a number of settings carried over, Thompson is well aware that further improvement is needed if he’s to extract the maximum from qualifying at a circuit offering few passing opportunities.           Gary Thompson: “Motegi’s a circuit I’ve always enjoyed racing at so it will be interesting to see how the changes have affected it. I’m hopeful the team have taken a step forward with the car. We’re expecting similar conditions there as we encountered at Fuji where the team worked hard to improve the car over the weekend. “It’s important to stress how significant this weekend is for me and the championship. We’re already at the halfway stage of the season so it’s imperative that we don’t have another round like Fuji. On paper the results weren’t too bad but I need to be up there fighting for wins if we’re to close the gap in the standings. That makes qualifying especially important so we avoid losing time fighting our way through the field as has happened a few times this year. I’m feeling confident though.”Thompson currently lies fourth in the standings and 28 points adrift of the championship lead. But with a maximum of 24 available this weekend alone, there remain plenty of chances to reduce the gap.