YORK'S James Thompson heads to Donington Park later this month in good spirits after a victory at Silverstone.

He won the Feature Race in his Vauxhall Astra after finishing fourth behind team-mate Phil Bennett in the Sprint Race.

It means Thompson remains in third place in the championship behind leader Jason Plato and second-placed Yvan Muller.

Plato now has 281 points, Muller 276 and Thompson a clear third on 254 points.

Thompson was gifted victory in the Feature Race as Plato took the chequered flag ahead of him.

However, Plato was docked 30 seconds for a collision with Muller which led to the Frenchman limping over the line in third place.

As a result, Thompson was elevated to first place and Muller second.

That trimmed Plato's Championship lead to five points and both Thompson and Muller will be hoping to put more pressure on the Oxford-based drive in the next round at Donington Park on September 22 and 23.

Updated: 12:29 Wednesday, September 12, 2001