Two top 2 positions for James Thompson and Hartmann Honda Racing in the first DTC races 12.05.2009: The winter preparations with updates on both engine and car proved this weekend to be good investments for Hartmann Honda Racing. Traditionally Jyllandsringen has been the circuit causing the team most trouble, but at the opening DTC races

The winter preparations with updates on both engine and car proved this weekend to be good investments for Hartmann Honda Racing. Traditionally Jyllandsringen has been the circuit causing the team most trouble, but at the opening DTC races James Thompson not only managed to claim the team’s first top 2 positions and trophy at this circuit, where team newcomer, Per Poulsen, showed that he is a worthy contestant for the privateer series with a maximum score in one of the three races.

”As the team manager I am very satisfied. I have no reason to complain, as I feel that it is fantastic that we have managed to get this far,” team owner Hans Hartmann says.

Through all three races at Jyllandsringen James Thompson was part of the top battle. In the first race he got a second place. In the second he advanced from seventh to fourth place, while in the final he was the closest competitor to winner Michael Nykjær.

”I think I only had a single chance of passing Michel, but I kept pushing as if it was a qualifying session. I am pleased with the result on behalf of the team which has worked hard all winter, and we finished with two top 2 positions in the three races,” a happy James Thompson said, having claimed his first trophy in Danish motor racing.

”Michel was the fastest driver today and full marks for that. There is nothing more to say about that but at least we in the ballgame,” Hans Hartmann adds. On the reason why Hartmann Honda Racing have made progress at Jyllandsringen he says, “it is the result of a winter’s hard battle. A lot of preparation, a better engine, more people of the right calibre working on the cars. This is really a team result, where everything works well. It is the entire staff that creates the results. But the best thing about it is that we still have unused potential. A representative form our English engine builder followed us over the weekend, and I have made a wishing list to him with items that can give us more.”

While James Thompson this weekend begang his second season at Hartmann Honda Racing, Per Poulsen was driving for the team for the first time. The Dane won last year’s championship in the Renault Clio Cup and he posted sixth fastest time overall in qualifying, becoming best privateer on the grid. But in the races he got several damages.

”The racing was harding than I had hoped for, but I hope that it will be a single experience. Otherwise it won’t be that fun, if people are driving so brutally. I do believe that I show respect to my competitors, but there were drivers who didn’t do the same. That was disappointing,” Per Poulsen says after having been shoved sideways by a rival during one of the races.

Per Poulsen finished the weekend in fifth place overall and took maximumpoints for the privateer cup in the second race as his best result.

”I can feel that we are racing at a completely different level. You are so much excited. In comparison to the Clio series you have to have full attention all the time. But it is great and promises good for the future,” Per Poulsen says.

”I would like to thank the team and my mechanics, as they have been working from early morning to late night. My mechanics have been part of racing before, but you really have to work hard with things in the DTC series. But they don’t complain. That is impressive. Four guys who are working flat out all weekend.”

The next race for Hartmann Honda Racing will be at Padborg Park in two times, but before that the team plan to test at the same venue.



- Hartmann Racing - Photography: Morten Kimer Hansen.