The deal is for the Wednesday take a look at solely, as WSR seeks to fill the vacant berth alongside Jake Hill, four-time champion Colin Turkington and Adam Morgan for the 2024 season.
Thompson, the 2022 champion within the Jack Sears Trophy sub-division, has spent the vast majority of his 130-race BTCC profession with Group Arduous.
Final season he notched up his greatest BTCC race consequence up to now with second place at Manufacturers Hatch on the wheel of one among Arduous’s Cupra Leons, however was unable to finish the complete season due to the crew’s mid-campaign requirement for an addition to his agreed funds.
Thompson returned for the ultimate two rounds, and was hailed by three-time champion Matt Neal, who was aiding Group Arduous final season, as one of many BTCC’s high six abilities.
WSR is in negotiations with drivers to fill the seat vacated by veteran Stephen Jelley, who’s returning to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB this season.
The take a look at for Thompson seems for example a need between the motive force and crew to spark curiosity that may enable a race deal to be pushed over the road commercially.
Though all of his BTCC race expertise has come from front-wheel-drive vehicles, Thompson has huge expertise of rear-wheel-drive equipment from the teaching and take a look at work he carries out for purchasers.
Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils Cupra Leon
Picture by: JEP / Motorsport Images
“I’m thrilled to check the BMW 330e M Sport at Manufacturers Hatch and I’ve to thank all people concerned who has labored so onerous to create this chance,” mentioned 28-year-old Thompson.
“I’ve by no means had the chance to drive a championship-winning automobile within the BTCC so this will probably be a primary for me, and I actually hope it could result in a race seat for the 2024 season.
“I’m working extremely onerous with my companions to place collectively a bundle for this 12 months, however we’re nonetheless a bit away from the place we must be with a view to make the dream a actuality.
“The BTCC is about to enter a brand new period with a ground-breaking international broadcast take care of ITV Sport and TikTok, which needs to be a game-changer in what the collection can do to advertise a industrial sponsor, and there’s actually nowhere else I’d fairly race. I hope this could be a first step in direction of one thing actually particular.”
WSR chief Dick Bennetts added: “Bobby’s one among a gaggle of gifted drivers who’ve come alongside prior to now few seasons, ruffled just a few feathers and achieved some superb outcomes when each the equipment and circumstance have allowed it.
“He’s one of many drivers proper now who has constructed an extremely loyal fanbase and somebody who undoubtedly enhances the BTCC simply by being there.
“He has loads of rear-wheel-drive expertise, albeit not in a touring automobile, so this take a look at will give attention to getting him snug within the BMW and seeing what we will do as a gaggle.
“That is only a take a look at at this stage as we proceed to push very onerous to verify our fourth BMW is on the grid this season, however we’re effectively conscious of Bobby’s dedication to race and hope we will play a job in making issues occur.”