While most Dublin teenagers were out shopping ahead of the holiday rush, single-seater star Gary Thompson was making the most of an early Christmas present as he began his 2010 testing programme in Valencia.

 

Formula BMW Pacific Rookie Cup champion Thompson is graduating to Formula 3 in the new season and the Donabate racer began his preparations last week with a three day test in a German Formula 3 specification Dallara-Volkswagen F307 run by Performance Racing.

 

The test was an opportunity to get some important homework done ahead of the coming campaign when Thompson is planning to race in the Japanese F3 series. With Japanese testing limited due to weather at this time of year, the outing in Spain was planned to kick start training for the leap in performance he will experience in his second season of racing cars.

 

Throughout the three days Thompson, who was overall runner-up in the Formula BMW Pacific series to go with his Rookie Cup in his debut season in cars, impressed the Performance Racing crew and ended the test among the fastest German spec machinery.

 

In addition Thompson was quicker than several of the more powerful F309 cars in what he is certain was a very useful exercise ahead of his move to Japan.

 

“We had every conceivable variety of weather conditions in the three days and it was great to really come to terms with a Formula 3 car in a proper extended test,” said the Cebu Pacific and Aviation Display supported racer.

 

“I’d like to thank Performance Racing for their help and professionalism during the test. It’s a very impressive team and there was a great atmosphere throughout the test.

 

“Day one was wet and I focused on learning the car and track so that I could push to the maximum in the dry on day two.

 

“The third day was extremely windy and I was delighted to be amongst the quickest on a very busy track.”

 

Thompson is now focusing his attention on Japan in the new year and ahead of that he will head to Batangas in the Philippines for testing with Aran Racing in a Formula 3 Dallara-Toyota TOMS F304 before beginning the Japanese phase of his pre season testing programme in February.

 

But now he plans to take a well earned rest over the Christmas holiday.

 

“I’ve done an incredible amount of travelling this year and I’m looking forward to taking a break at Christmas. I’ve already got my Christmas present so I suppose I should get back to the books during the break as well,” said the 17-year-old Leaving Cert student.

 

 

Prepared by www.garythompsonracing.com