Photo: PSP Images

Tom Ingram: It’s been a positive start

Tom Ingram says he feels positive about three points scoring finishes for the new Toyota Corolla in the BTCC season opener at Brands Hatch.

Ingram and the Speedworks team headed into the first weekend for the new car seeking to keep expectations in check, but a solid start saw the reigning Independents’ champion secure eighth on the grid in tricky conditions.

Despite being on wet tyres for the opening race, Ingram was able to secure points in 13th place but showed the potential of the new car with a fine run through to fifth in race two.

An impressive defensive drive in race then resulted in a tenth place finish as he worked hard to keep a train of cars behind through the closing stages, leaving Ingram tenth in the standings with three races done.

“I’m really happy to be honest, it’s been a positive weekend,” he said. “Of course we aren’t where we want to be which is fighting for victory like everyone else, but we now know where we stand and know what we need to do to improve.

“Ideally what I wanted from Brands Hatch was to fight for the top ten and keep my nose clean, and then we could focus on trying to make improvements to work forwards as the season goes on.

“Learning a new car isn’t easy and a lot of this season will be data gathering and learning but I think we’ve made a really good start. We have work to do to get the car to where the Avensis was but we had years working with that car, and I’m confident that we’re already in a good position with the Corolla.”