HOME glory beckons for York speedster James Thompson this weekend, as the British Touring Car Championships heads for North Yorkshire's Croft circuit.

The Honda Accord driver suffered nasty leg burns during his debut in the DTM race at Oschersleben in Germany last weekend, but is expected to win his race for fitness in time for tomorrow's qualifiers.

As reported in the Evening Press on Monday, the burns were caused by a hot exhaust inside the cockpit, which came into contact with his leg after a hole was cut in the seat so that he - being too tall for the original set-up - could sit in the car.

However, after winning the previous round of the series at Silverstone, Thompson - who has already missed several BTCC rounds following a massive accident at Brands Hatch in April - will be eager to return, especially to his 'home' circuit.

The 26-year-old's recent success means his car will be handicapped by 40kg of extra weight for Sunday's two races, rounds 13 and 14, although his great record at Croft - he scored memorable sprint race wins in 1998 and '99 - proves he knows the circuit better than most.

He said: "Honda and I have always enjoyed strong results at this track and we went well there in pre-season testing.

"Hopefully my home advantage will more than make up for the 40kg of success ballast. Having missed four rounds already, I want to win some races and, perhaps, get myself back into contention for the championship."

Thompson will be joined in the Honda team by former BTCC champion Gabriele Tarquini and Dane Tom Kristensen, who returns to the series after claiming his second-ever victory in the famous Le Mans 24-hour race last weekend, with Audi.

"It was a fantastic weekend in France but now I must get back to BTCC business," said Kristensen.

"Making the switch back to the front-driven Honda won't be a problem for me.

"Honda has won three of the last five rounds so we are expecting to have a strong second half of the season.

"Croft is very interesting track with all types of corners - I'm really looking forward to another good weekend."

Switzerland's Alain Menu, who has a five-point lead in the championship ahead of team-mate Anthony Reid, leads Ford's hopes in his Mondeo, although Swedish team-mate Rickard Rydell may return to form, having no penalty ballast following a run of poor results.

Meanwhile, Harrogate's John Bintcliffe, a former BTCC race winner, will also be looking for a home victory at Croft, having set up a BTCC Class B team, in which drivers Robert Collard and Marc Norden will be racing Nissan Primeras.

Alan Morrison (Touring Car VIP Club/Peugeot 306 GTi6) and James Kaye (Barwell Motorsport/Honda Accord) are tied at the top of that table.

BTCC spectators at Croft will also see Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec, Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec, Autobytel Lotus Elise Series, Formula Renault 2000, and Elf Clio Renaultsport UK Cup championships.

picture- MAN AND MACHINE: James Thompson will be hoping his Honda Accord performs well in the next round of the British Touring Car Championships at his 'home' circuit of Croft this weekend