YORK'S James Thompson had a real mixed bag of races on the opening day of the Green Flag British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton.

The VX Racing team star kicked off a new year of competition by smashing the lap record in qualifying to gain pole position for the first race which he won in style.

But he crashed out of the second race after a spectacular collision and finished third in the third race which was screened live by ITV yesterday.

In the first race, Thompson, the 2002 champion, started from pole position in his Astra Coupe and led all the way, while Matt Neal passed Yvan Muller for second at the first corner. Neal pressured Thompson throughout, but an error at the chicane mid-way through the 16-lap race cost him time. He caught back up to Thompson at the finish but was not close enough to attempt a passing manoeuvre.

Thompson said: "I really pushed hard in the opening stages because I wanted the extra point for fastest lap and got it, but it took a lot out of the tyres. Matt was really catching me towards the end and given one more lap he might have had me."

Thompson's victory meant he was be relegated to tenth on the starting grid for race two, as a result of the BTCC's new reversed grid positions rule.

But Thompson's hopes on building on his flying start were shattered when, onn lap two, he collided with Neal's Honda Civic through the fast Goodwood corner and crashed out of the race.

That paved the way for Jason Plato to give SEAT Sport UK victory after dramatically fending off reigning champion Muller.

Finishing tenth to secure pole position for the second of the day's three races was Team Honda's Tom Chilton.

With less than two hours until the start of the final race, Thompson's mechanics worked furiously to repair extensive upright and rear beam damage.

They beat the clock and the York star was able to take his place on the grid for the final race.

This time the format returned to the more usual grid with the positions reflecting the previous race finishing positions, with Muller lining up on the front row alongside Plato, Thompson bringing up the rear, on the back row.

Muller had an intense battle with Plato to wrest him of the lead and having managed to take him, Muller ensured his hard work paid off and gradually left the field behind him.

Thompson wowed the crowd with a drive from the back of the grid to third place in less than fifteen laps to secure a place on the podium.

After the first two rounds of the championship VX Racing lie ahead of their rivals in the manufacturers, team and driver championships.

Muller heads the drivers ' standing with 38 points ahead of Thompson and Plato, who have 28 each.

Updated: 10:21 Monday, April 12, 2004