YORK'S speed sensation James Thompson posted an impressive third place in the season's official tests, at the super-fast Thruxton circuit near Andover.

Thompson, driving in the Egg Sport Vauxhall Astra Coupe, was just over a half a second behind leader Jason Plato, who is currently topping the www.theAA.com MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Thompson edged ahead of Phil Bennett, also in an Egg Sport Vauxhall Astra Coupe, to take third ahead of the next British Touring Car Championship races at Thruxton on the Bank Holiday weekend of May 6-7.

Updated: 11:33 Saturday, April 21, 2001