Japanese driver joins Thompson

COUNTDOWN: - 30 DAYS to the 2008 FIA WTCC Race of Germany - 30th / 31st August, in Oschersleben 

Japanese driver Yukinori Taniguchi will join James Thompson to drive the second Honda Accord Euro R car developed in collaboration with JAS Motorsport at two FIA WTCC events this season: Monza and Okayama.

Taniguchi, whose racing experience includes wins in the Super Taikyu Endurance Series and the Japan Classic Car Challenge, finished second in the Japan Le Mans Challenge series last year. At the wheel of a Porsche 997 GT3 RSR, Taniguchi claimed LMGT-2 class podium finishes and one win.

Hiroshima-born Taniguchi will test with N.Technology at Adria on 24 and 25 September, before heading to Monza the following week.

"We have been looking into running a second car for some time," said N.Technology Team Manager Andrea Muller. "We believe Yuke will be a worthwhile addition to the team. His experience at Okayama, where he finished first last year in the Japan Le Mans Challenge, will be extremely valuable to us."

Alessandro Mariani, JAS Managing Director, added: "The Honda Accord has raced in the WTCC since the Championship started and finally, for 2008, there is a Japanese event. The only thing missing was a Japanese driver and so we all are very pleased that Yuke will be part of this project in Monza and in Okayama."

- Fabio Ravaioli - FIA WTCC-