Tom Ingram: “We worked hard for that one”

Tom Ingram was left delighted after charging to a third pole position of the British Touring Car Championship season at Oulton Park.

The EXCLER8 Motorsport driver obliterated the existing 2023 qualifying lap record by almost half a second to claim bragging rights ahead of title protagonist Ash Sutton, who will join him on the front row for the first of Sunday’s three races.

Having shown front-running pace all day at the Cheshire venue, the 2022 champion heaped praise on the performance of his Hyundai i30 N Fastback and his team.

“We worked hard for that one,” said Ingram. “The car has felt so alive this weekend and credit has to go to everyone at Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS because they’ve done something remarkable with it; it’s special to drive.

“This circuit is about hooking everything up so it’s really confidence inspiring. So much about this game is about staying headstrong, so if the car is feeling good and we’re not having to chase things, we’re in a really good place.

“I’m feeling good heading into tomorrow and confident we can head into the summer break on the front foot.”