TOM Ingram put behind him problems during free practice to set the fourth fastest time in qualifying for tomorrow’s British Touring Car Championship third round.
The series’ points-leader, behind the wheel of Northwich outfit Speedworks Motorsport’s Toyota Avensis, was top of the time-sheet midway through a half-hour session at Thruxton.
However former champion Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing Civic) claimed his first pole position for almost five years after setting a lap record for the Hampshire circuit.
Ingram had set the previous best marker, a 1.16.161, in 2016.
Tom Ingram behind the wheel of Speedworks Motorsport's Toyota Avensis during free practice at Thruxton on Saturday. Picture: Matt Sayle Photography
However the 23-year-old, in a car carrying 66kg of success ballast, is happy to be starting Sunday’s first sprint from the grid’s second row.
He said: “We just threw everything at it and managed to get on top of the issues we’d had earlier in the day.
“Given the extra weight we have, and the way that our day started, I think we can be more than satisfied.”
Speedworks were placed outside of the top 10, in 14th and then 15th respectively, at the end of two 40-minute practice runs earlier on Saturday.
“We were really struggling for balance in both sessions,” revealed Ingram.
“We just couldn’t get the Avensis hooked up at all, and that left us all sat scratching our heads.”
Neal’s best circuit edged that of his teammate, defending champion Gordon Shedden, while Jack Goff (Eurotech Racing) completed an all-Honda top three.
To see the results in full, click here.
After the red flag restart there was 5 minutes left, but we were finished. All tyres used but really happy with 4th. #BTCC #Thruxton 🏁 pic.twitter.com/3fIUFHg0Fc
— Tom Ingram (@Tomingram80) May 6, 2017
Three races are scheduled for Sunday, when Ingram starts 14 points better off than second-placed Colin Turkington (Team BMW) in the drivers’ standings.
Speedworks are third in the teams’ table, first of the Independent entries in the field.
ITV Sport will broadcast the action live on terrestrial television.
Want to follow Speedworks’ progress on Sunday? Here’s what you need to know:
Timetable
Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship
Sunday, May 7
1212 Race one (16 laps)
1432 Race two (16 laps)
1717 Race three (16 laps)
Television schedule
Sunday, April 16
ITV4 1115-1820
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