INGRAM: TOURING CAR VICTORY IS BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS
Tin-top winner says he thought that overall silverware was out of reach
New British Touring Car Championship title winner Tom Ingram says going on the attack at Brands Hatch was the philosophy that landed him a maiden crown.
The Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai i30 N racer won the opening two rounds in Kent and then finished fifth in the finale to fend off three other rivals – including outgoing champion Ash Sutton – to seal the title.
The 29-year-old finished 12 points in front of Sutton’s Ford Focus in the final table with Jake Hill (BMW) third and Colin Turkington (BMW) in fourth.
Ingram said: “I didn’t want to just come to the finale and bank points for the title – that is not my style. I had to go and grab it, and that is what I did.”
Ingram was the most successful driver in terms of outright race victories with six triumphs from the 30 races in 2022. He has previously finished as runner-up in 2018.
He added: “I honestly can’t put this into words. I have been here for so many years [in the title showdown] and never managed to get it across the line. To come here with a car working as amazingly as it was has been beyond a dream.”
New British Touring Car Championship title winner Tom Ingram says claiming the crown has been the fulfilment of a lifetime’s ambition – although he doubted it would even come his way after so many near misses.
The 29-year-old Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai i30 N driver prevailed in a four-way showdown at Brands Hatch last weekend by winning the opening two races in Kent and then finishing fifth in a tense finale to fend off Ash Sutton (Motorbase Performance Ford Focus) and Jake Hill (MB Motorsport BMW 330e M Sport).
Ingram joined the BTCC in 2014 and had finished in the top four of the standings on four occasions before finally prevailing on Sunday.
“I’ve thought about this moment for literally my entire life,” said a tearful Ingram as he stepped from his car afterwards. “Never did I think it would ever come. We have had a few chances before, and it has never quite worked out.
“It is a hard feeling to put into words how this feels and there is so much credit due to so many people. When you have devoted your life to this, and then to finally achieve it, it has been such an amazing journey.”
Outgoing champion Ash Sutton also paid tribute to the new winner. Sutton went to parc ferme after the race to hand over the number one car sticker and he placed it on Ingram’s Hyundai.
“Fair play to Tom – he has been a great rival this year and he thoroughly deserves it,” said the three-time champion, who finished second in the standings. “The [Excelr8] team and Tom turned up with a package we just couldn’t beat, so all credit to them.”