WTCC: Thompson returns for Slovakia

James Thompson will return to the World Touring Car Championship next weekend at the Slovakiaring after agreeing to stand in for Rene Munnich in a Chevrolet Cruze.

Thompson, who won the British Touring Car Championship in 2002 and '04, has been drafted in to replace team owner Munnich at his eponymous Munnich Motorsport team owing to a World Rallycross clash.

The Briton's deal is currently in place for the second round of the season only, though team manager Dominik Greiner said both parties would use the weekend to consider any further outings for Thompson later in the year.

"The most important think for James next weekend will be track time; to drive and learn the car," he said. "For the moment it's only a one-off event for James but Rene has some more RX clashes during the season; so let's see how things go during the weekend."

Greiner confirmed that Munnich would return behind to the cockpit at the Hungaroring round, which takes place in a fortnight. The Nurburgring, Moscow, Termas de Rio Hondo and Motegi WTCC rounds also clash with RX dates later in the year.

Munnich is fielding a team of SEATs in World RX this season for himself and Rene Nitiss.

Thompson competed in the WTCC as recently as last year with Lada. He served the marque since 2009 as it developed its WTCC machines, and scored its first points in the championship the same year. But he parted company with Lada after the Hungaroring round last season, having earlier withdrawn from the event.

Originally on Autosport.com