Meritus - Peter Thompson's History - Creating International Motorsport Heros

History of Peter Thompson (Team Principal and Founder)

Peter Thompson started his automotive enterprise in 1980. Meritus have operated championship teams in Ireland, England and continental Europe in GT's, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula Opel, Formula 3 and Formula 3000, winning a number of high profile awards and gaining a reputation as serious competitors in each category.

The now well-established Malaysian/Irish-owned team Meritus, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, brought their European expertise in motorsport team management to the expanding Asian motorsport market in 1995, running cars for young Asian drivers in the competitive Asian F2000 championship. The Asian Formula 2000 was the only FIA-sanctioned single-seater category in Southeast Asia. Winning 16 Asian motorsport titles, Meritus is undoubtedly the most successful formula race team in region. Meritus expanded in to the Asian Formula Renault Championship at the end of 2002 and won the formula's Holy Grail event at the 49th Macau GP.

With the Malaysian and Chinese F1 Grand Prix Meritus took the opportunity to gear up its operation to run teams in new Asian categories.

Meritus is a multi-dimensional sports marketing company with a proven record of unrivalled success in Asia, supporting and training young Asian heroes to achieve their dreams in the high-tech work of international motorsport. Our team provides a level of professionalism and a range of motorsport-related business services expected by regional sponsors.

Peter Thompson Bio to date:

1975

Qualified from Pearce's Engineering Co in Wexford Ireland as a design engineering draughtsman, Specialising in high-end motorised agricultural equipment, with a first place in engineering design drawing in Ireland. Joined the Timoney Research Co, designers and constructors of armoured and specialised vehicles.

1980

Formed TMC sportscars with brother Sean creating the first Irish automotive industry. Hired Francis Costin, the famed British aero and automotive design engineer, to design the chassis and suspension system utilising Ford powertrain. The company struggled for eight years during the Irish recession with initial set up capital of only one thousand punts. However this automotive cottage industry receives grant aid from the Irish Development Authority to develop and market the sports two seater in the Irish USA market.

The TMC was based loosely on the Lotus 7 but designed to take powertrains of over 350bhp. It was fully enclosed all aluminium bodywork on a 3-cell space frame chassis.

1983/7

The TMC racing team won 3 national and British GT titles with Irish racing hero John Keaney racing under his beloved number 43. Motorsport was the only marketing medium used for the promotion of the high performance TMC Sportscar which captured the hearts of the Irish.

1988

Having built 39 pre-production prototypes and just prior to commencing the construction of a new auto-plant the company was sold to a US corporation headed by Daniel E Panoz, son of Don Panoz. Danny set up Panoz Automotive Corporation from the sale of his shares in his father's Elan pharmaceutical Corp which had just IPOed on the NY stock exchange as well as launching its first product Nicorette. Today, Panoz Roadster originates from the TMC sportscar (see website www.PanozAuto.com).

1989

Set up PTM Motorsport, later renamed Meritus Racing in the UK, running successful teams in Formula Vauxhall, Formula Opel, Formula 3 and Formula 3000. Many of today's racing stars have had success with the Meritus team, including our first driver Anthony Reid who is the champion of today's British Touring Car Championship. David Coulthard tested his first 'slicks and wings' car with Meritus at a very cold Silverstone circuit. Other drivers who joined the team included Vincenzo Sospiri, Bernard Dolan, Diogo Castro Santos, Bruno Aguiar and ex F1 driver Ricardo Rosset.

1990's

Meritus won many European championships during the early 90's including support races at British Grand Prix with Anthony Reid, and Spanish Grand Prix support race with Vicenzo Sospiri and Hungarian, Spa Belgium, French, Portuguese and German GP's with Diogo Castro Santos.

There were many other high points for the team including winning the Nation's Cup for Portugal in 1990 and 1991 as well as becoming European team champions in 1992.

1993

Entered the European Formula 3000 championship with Brazilian F3 champion; however the team suffered a drastic season with the driver crashing out in most of the races. In the following season the team re-structured into F3 and re-entered Formula Opel.

1995

Peter Thompson introduced Don Panoz (Panoz Racing) into the world of motorsport, initially conceiving and spearheading the Panoz Racing entry into Le Man 24 hour resulting in future front row qualification. Panoz later expanded his motorsport operations setting up ALMS (American Le Mans Series) and purchased many USA racing circuits including Rhode Atlanta and UK racing manufacturers.

1995/6

Meritus expanded to Asia, setting up Meritus Asia Pacific Ltd. Won the Asia Formula 2000 championship with Narain Karthikeyan. Our second driver Roy Haryanto was vice champion.

1997

We won the AF2000 in 1997 with Indonesian Bagos Hermanto and his team mate Ng Wai Leong was vice champions in 1998.

1999

Nattapong Horthongkum from Thailand won the 1999 AF2000 championship.

1999

Won the inaugural AF2000 race at the Macau GP with Jordon F1 driver Takuma Sato

2000

Ng Wai Leong WON the championship finally in 2000.

1996/0

During the first 4 years of the team's involvement with AF2000, Meritus enjoyed the backing of Marlboro and Castrol and support of many regional sponsors.

1997

Set up the Asian Motorsport Marketing Corporation (A2Mc) Specialising in sponsorship chasing for regional motorsport events in the Asia Pacific region.

1998

Set up the Karting Marketing and Management Corporation in 1997 to establish indoor 'Karting Mall' branded franchises throughout the Asia Pacific region.

2000

Malaysian entrepreneur and racing driver Firhat Mokhzani purchased an interest in the Meritus brand through his Real Power Excel vehicle, winning the championship with Ng Wai Leong in his inaugural year.

November 2002

Meritus launched a Formula Renault Team and won the inaugural Formula Renault race at the Macau Grand Prix.

December 2002

Meritus proposes a four team attack on Asian regional championships

December 2003

Meritus entered a three car team in the Formula BMW Asia Championship winning 13 of 14 races and clinching the Championship title in its inaugural year with Tung Ho Pin. Meritus were also 2nd in the series with Hanss Lin Po Heng. Meritus entered Marchy Lee in the Macau GP and became Vice Champions.

December 2004

December 2005

Meritus announces that they will again enter the F-BMW series with a six car team with:

1997 - Robert Boughey from Thailand - age 22
1998 - Michael Patrizi from Australia - age 21
1999 - Charlie Charlez from Malaysian - age 18
2000 - Endo form Japan - age 50
2001 - Xu/Jia from Shanghai China - age 16

Meritus will announce plans to enter a new series for 06 as well as keeping their F-BMW team