TOM Ingram will start the first race of a new British Touring Car Championship season from the grid’s front row at Brands Hatch tomorrow morning.

He had been fastest around the Kent circuit during both of Saturday’s practice sessions behind the wheel of Speedworks Motorsport’s Toyota Avensis, only to be pipped to pole position during a half-hour qualifying period interrupted by rain and red flags.

“We’re more than happy with that in those conditions,” he said afterwards.

“I’d have loved pole, but second is good – we can do something from there.”

The 23-year-old had set the pace earlier, improving on his morning marker by 0.006s as the Northwich team’s facelifted car – which topped the time-sheets too during an official test at Donington Park a fortnight ago – demonstrated its potential.

Northwich Guardian:

Tom Ingram was fastest overall on both free practice sessions during the opening day of a new British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch. Picture: Matt Sayle Photography

However Eurotech Racing’s Jeff Smith celebrated maiden pole position after mastering damp conditions better than anybody in a Honda Civic Type-R.

That followed two stoppages for separate incidents at Paddock Hill Bend, which saw the Chevrolet of Dave Newsham and Subaru of Ashley Sutton beached in the gravel.

Rain came and went throughout much of the running, but a further shower following Smith’s lap that scuppered any chance of improvement.

Ingram has behind him Honda Yuasa Racing duo Gorden Shedden, the defending champion, and Matt Neal.

He added: “Gordon is third, while Jeff will be pushing for a win so we’ll have to try and get [past] him off the line and get clear. We’ll see.”

Sunday’s action will include a trio of 24-lap races, all broadcast live on television by ITV Sport.

The first is scheduled to start at 11.30am.