Tom Ingram fights back to end up on top at Snetterton

Tom Ingram admitted he was “chuffed” after bouncing back from a DNF in the opening race of the weekend to secure the BTCC points lead after the Diamond Double event at Snetterton.

The Speedworks driver had gone into the weekend as the closest rival to Colin Turkington in the points but things didn’t go to plan in the opening race when an alternator issue forced him to retire.

At the back of the grid for race two as a result, Ingram was able to storm through the field to secure a podium finish on the final lap after find a way ahead of Dan Cammish’s Honda Civic Type-R.

From fourth on the grid for the Diamond Double, Ingram moved up into third at the start and was able to retain his position right through to the final in changeable weather conditions to move into the championship lead.

Ingram now takes an advantage of six points over former leader Colin Turkington into the Rockingham weekend.

“I’m really chuffed,” he said. “It’s been a great weekend in terms of points, although it could have been better without what happened in race one. But we come away from the weekend pleased with a car that is working well, and with lots of points on the board.

“In the opening race, it was hard to watch from the sidelines when all you can do is count the positions to see what your rivals are scoring but there is a silver lining to every cloud. We had some help in the second race with others not making the start or falling off but I’ll still take it and to then add another podium in race three with the double points is great.

“We take the penalty of the weight to Rockingham but we are in best place at the head of the points and we can feel pleased with ourselves. We’ve gone well at Rockingham in the past and had some good results, and we know the car works round there. We have to stay calm in qualifying and not let the pressure of leading get to us and not worry about being down the times because of the weight as it’ll come back to us as the weekend goes on.”