SPEEDSTER James Thompson begins his quest for new glory tomorrow in the opening race of the World Touring Car Championship.

York's British Touring Car champion has defected to the new World version, effectively an extension of the European series, which begins at Monza, Italy.

He is among a trio of hotly-tipped Britons in the World championship, alongside Guernsey's Andy Priaulx, who won the last European Touring Car race, and Robert Huff.

Thompson, who has joined the Alfa Romeo team alongside former Formula One driver Gabriele Tarquini, reckons the World series will provide him with a stronger test than the BTCC, which he has won twice in the last three seasons.

The WTCC will take in nine meetings, including Silverstone in May and ending at Macau in November.

Other races are at Magny-Cours, San Marino, Puebla in Mexico, Spa in Belgium, Oschersleben in Germany, Istanbul and Valencia.

This year's BTCC series, which also involves nine meetings, also starts tomorrow, at Donington Park.

Thompson's former team, Vauxhall, are going for a fifth straight title with Frenchman Yvan Muller heading their charge, while fellow senior pro Jason Plato, of Seat, is another leading contender.

Updated: 09:30 Saturday, April 09, 2005