Photo: PSP Images

Tom Ingram confident going into ‘tougher’ 2018 season

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Reigning Independents’ champion Tom Ingram says he feels confident heading into the 2018 season as he seeks to try and launch a bid for the overall title – despite admitting that the competition looks to be stronger than ever.

Ingram returns with the Speedworks team again this season at the wheel of what is now the sole Toyota Avensis on the grid, and has been busy in recent weeks testing the car in preparation for the season opener at Brands Hatch next month.

On the back of four days of running at Portimão, Ingram went up against his rivals on track during the annual season launch at Donington Park – posting the ninth quickest time following four hours of officially timed testing.

Admitting that there was only so much to take away from the day in terms of the times, Ingram said he was pleased with the progress Speedworks had made over the winter and felt he was in a good position as the opening rounds of the year draw closer.

“You can never read too much into the lap times at Season Launch, because different people are running different programmes and varying levels of ballast, so we simply focussed on ourselves and in that respect, it was a very successful and satisfying day,” the 24-year-old said.

“Everything went according to plan, and we put a decent number of laps on the board. Right from the outset, the Avensis felt really strong – and that gives us a lot of confidence heading to Brands Hatch, where the aim will be to come away with a very solid clutch of points. Consistency is what the BTCC is all about, and last year, we proved that is something we have added to our armoury.

“Donington was also the first time we got to take a closer look at the opposition, and there’s no question that the BTCC is going to be as tough as ever this year – if not even tougher. The top guys will remain formidable competitors, and when you throw into the mix a number of new drivers and new cars, it really becomes extremely difficult to call.

“Ultimately, all we can do is perform to the best of our ability every time we take to the track, with our sights solidly set on lifting the biggest prize of all.”