Photo: PSP Images

Tom Ingram determined to open 2020 win account

Tom Ingram says he is determined to try and secure a first win of the 2020 BTCC season after an impressive performance in qualifying at Thruxton.

The Speedworks driver survived two grassy moments at the high-speed Hampshire circuit to put his Toyota Corolla on the front row of the grid, missing out to Dan Cammish in the battle for pole by less than a tenth of a second.

Speaking afterwards, Ingram admitted that he was delighted to have come through the session unscathed and was now focused on taking the fight to Cammish and Matt Neal in race one tomorrow.

“This place in qualifying trim is terrifying because you can’t leave anything on the table,” he said. “You’re doing 140mph through Church and the last thing you want to do is throw it off, which I nearly did, so I’m delighted to get through qualifying in one piece and in second place.

“I said last week that qualifying is so important round here, and we’ve qualified well. We haven’t had a win yet this season which annoys me, and I want to have a win tomorrow.”

Pushed as to where the improvement in time had come from, Ingram insisted that the reason was twofold.

“Much bigger balls is a large part of it and the other part is all the work we have done behind the scenes on the car,” he said. “We’ve taken a huge step forwards and think we were a second quicker than we have gone before round here. We have found something and have been right there against the Hondas at a Honda track. I’m annoyed we had a moment and it could have been pole, but I’m still pleased at the same time to be on the front row.”

One plus for Ingram going into race day is that the highest placed rear-wheel drive car will start down in eighth spot – meaning it may be less of a factor when the lights go out.

“It is the first time for a while that we haven’t had a rear wheel drive car towards the front, so it means we won’t be swamped,” he said. “In theory Dan, me and Matt should be close when we get away and won’t need to watch the mirrors for a car coming through. It will be a bit novel and we need to treasure it as it’ll be business as usual soon I’m sure.”