THE British Touring Car Championship reaches halfway in its 60th season this weekend, and Speedworks Motorsport head to Croft optimistic they can improve their position.

Tom Ingram, the Northwich team’s driver, sits fourth in the standings after his determination to recover from a disappointing qualifying session at Oulton Park last time out earned a reward.

He was sixth in race three, and is 21 points adrift of leader Colin Turkington.

“We salvaged what we could,” said Ingram.

“And we didn’t lose out too much points-wise; we’re still right up there and will carry a bit less weight with us to Croft, which is a circuit I love.

“I’m confident that we’ll be in good shape.”

His Toyota Avensis was slowed by 57kg of success ballast at Speedworks’ home circuit, leaving him 17th on the grid after qualifying.

The 24-year-old improved to 15th place in race one, and climbed to 10th by the end of the second.

“We refused to be beaten and made progress in every race,” said team principal Christian Dick.

“Tom’s controlled aggression was the right approach, and allowed him to pick up places when he could while staying out of trouble.”

“It was a job well done by all, and we’ll go to Croft in optimistic mood.”

A half-hour qualifying session on Saturday afternoon is followed by three, 15-lap sprint races on Sunday.

ITV Sport will broadcast the action live on television.