James Thompson

CHAMPION 2002, 2004

I had been to a best friend’s wedding but missed my lift from down south to the – I don’t want to give away too much – race track because we were having too much fun. Luckily I managed to hitch a lift with someone heading roughly in a northern direction. I crashed out on the floor in his hotel room, grabbed a cab, stopped at a service station to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste, then pitched up at the track still wearing my dinner jacket, bow tie and shiny shoes.

I thought I would stealth my way into the motorhome to get ready for qualifying, only to come face to face with the team manager. He said: “Good night was it?” Of which I could only reply: “Yep.” Then I put it on pole by a margin…