Hard away match for Lada Sport in Macau

In Macau an unfortunate epilogue of the 2009 WTCC for the Lada Sport Team assisted by HRS Motorsport.
In a such treacherous street circuit James Thompson run into a really violent incident in the qualifying session, during the which his Lada Priora hit the steady (and not indicated behind a blind bend) BMW 320,
of the Italian driver Stefano D'Aste.

Thompson suffered a momentary loss of sight, due to the strong deceleration, and reported minor bruises on the fingers of his left foot. After the first aid by the medical personnel present at the track, he was transported to the hospital where he did a series of clinical tests. Although it was discharged in the evening, the very strong British driver had unfortunately to abandon the idea to take part the last round of the season, finishing in advance, in this 2009 Season, his experience with the Russian House.

A similar fate affected his teammate Kirill Ladygin too. He destroyed his car during the free practices, while Jaap Van Lagen had to withdraw as well because of engine problems at the eight lap of Race 1, that made him unable to start in Race 2.

The incidents involved also many other drivers throughout the weekend, among them the neo World Champion Gabriele Tarquini and his team-mate Yvan Muller.

Lada Sport finishes the 2009 WTCC season with a positive and encouraging outcome for the future: it won its first championship points and its first qualification in the Top Ten, with an excellent second line in the grid.
Lada Sport and HRS Motorsport have already started to plan the 2010 season.

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