Ingram gets Andrews backing for ERC Junior

Almost 25 years since Andrews Heat for Hire graced Russell Brookes’ rally cars for the final time, the brand will return this year to back works Opel driver Chris Ingram.

Ingram drove an Opel for the first time in February at Stoneleigh Park – an ex-brookes Manta in the Andrews livery from the mid-1980s – under the watchful eyes of Brookes.

The famous name – now Andrews Sykes – will grace Ingram’s Opel as he leads the reigning European Rally Championship Junior category-winning Opel team.

“The opportunity really came about when I met Russell Brookes at Race Retro a few months ago [ see MN feature p21],” said Ingram.

“Kevin Furber and I produced a video of Russell and I was driving the classic Opel Manta he won the British Championship in. Russell kindly forwarded the video onto Mr Andrews and it all went from there. The guys at Andrews Sykes loved the idea of getting back into the sport with an ambitious young British Opel driver.

“It will be an honour to represent such an iconic name in rallying, 25 years after their deal ended with Russell. Many people have helped this come together, especially Russell, who I’d like to thank for his recommendation.”