Tom Ingram: “I feel in the best shape I’ve ever been in”

Tom Ingram has stated that he feels in the best shape he’s ever been in as he looks to reclaim the British Touring Car Championship title this year.

Relinquishing the crown that he won in 2022 to Ash Sutton last season, Ingram heads into the new season – which gets underway at Donington Park this weekend – brimming with confidence following a hugely successful pre-season testing programme.

In addition to EXCLER8 Motorsport forming an engineering alliance with Team Dynamics during the winter, Ingram and the Hyundai i30 N squad have been able to unlock even more potential from the front-wheel-drive machines.

“The 2023 pre-season period was absolutely shocking for us, with next to no dry track time followed by a predominantly dry season, which left us routinely on the back foot and playing catch-up,” said the 30-year-old.

“This year has been very different. It actually feels like the best pre-season we’ve ever had. We spent three days at Anglesey in amazing weather, which was massively productive. That played a major role in steering our direction and development of the car for the coming season.

“Honestly, it feels like we’ve turned a huge corner and that we’re in a really strong place in every area, and I feel like I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been too, both mentally and physically. More than anything, I think we’re all in such a positive headspace right now, because we know we are good enough and quick enough to win the title back, and we are aiming to hit it hard right from the start.

“The key, as ever in the BTCC, will be to be fast and consistent at every circuit. That, fundamentally, is what we need to do. Do I think we can turn the tables on Ash and NAPA Racing? Yes, I do.

On the subject of what it would mean to become a two-time champion, Ingram is hungry to make it happen.

“My desire to win the title back is greater than it was to win it in the first place,” added Ingram. “It’s natural that you want to win it once, but I don’t think I’d previously appreciated how much you want to get it back after losing it. I used to wonder how drivers kept on coming back for more, but now I understand you are never satisfied with just winning it once.”