A NORTHWICH race team are hoping to continue their best start to a British Touring Car Championship season at home circuit Oulton Park this weekend.

Tom Ingram sped to a first pole position behind the wheel of Speedworks Motorsport’s Toyota Avensis in the series’ opener at Brands Hatch, securing a maiden race win the following day.

He was third in the opener at Donington Park during the next meeting too.

The 22-year-old was fastest in qualifying again at Thruxton last month, leading to a second-place finish in the first sprint.

“It’s fair to say we hoped to take more points away from Thruxton after qualifying on pole,” said team principal Christian Dick.

“And it’s obviously frustrating not to be scoring as highly as we are capable of, but the potential is clear for all to see.

“It might not have all come together yet in terms of a whole weekend, but it will – and as our home circuit, wouldn’t Oulton Park be just the perfect place to nail it?”

Seven different drivers have stood on the top step of the podium from nine races so far.

On top of that, five different marques have reigned supreme.

“We just need to iron out the little issues and errors that keep holding us back,” said Ingram.

“We’ve proved we’re among the quickest in the field in both qualifying and races, rain or shine, which underscores just how far we have come over the winter.

“We’ve taken a quantum leap forward, from being sporadic front-runners to a regular contender for podiums and wins.”

Newcomer Matt Simpson will be in Speedworks' other car, a Honda Civic Type-R.

He collected points from a pair of 13th place finishes in the first two rounds at Thruxton.

"It was a a fantastic weekend, and our race pace was a lot closer to the front runners," he said.

The championship race is hotting up as well, with the Honda of Matt Neal and BMW of Rob Collard currently sharing a standings lead.

A pit-walk and autograph session for spectators is scheduled for Sunday, when they can meet the drivers.

A bumper crowd can then watch three BTCC races, plus a supporting programme of action from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Renault UK Clio Cup, Ginetta GT Supercup, Ginetta Juniors and British Formula 4.

The action will also be broadcast live by ITV Sport.