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Thompson Astra blows another motor

James Thompson's shocking British Touring Car Championship luck struck again in the second free practice session at Donington Park today (Friday). The Englishman's Vauxhall Astra hit another engine problem requiring a change and Yvan Muller has moved ahead of him in the points standings for this weekend's season finale

Thompson had headed Muller by four points, but the latest engine drama means he will be docked five points, putting his French team-mate one ahead.

"Such is life," said the disappointed Thompson, "but what can you do. I think I've earned my lead. I don't know what I've done to deserve this much bad luck. Still, it's not over yet."

Thompson had a fresh engine installed in the Astra before the last meeting at Brands Hatch, because it was well past its normal mileage. One possibility could have been to put that engine back in the car and save the points at the risk of having another failure. "I probably would have taken that option," said Thompson when questioned, "but it's not open any more."

Thompson's bad luck also means that Anthony Reid's hypothetical chance of the title had come a little closer to being feasible - the MG driver is now 32 points off the lead, with 35 available over Saturday and Sunday.

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