TOM Ingram started a new season in the British Touring Car Championship in the same way as he did the previous one – as a race-winner.

He led the first race at Brands Hatch on Sunday from start to finish behind the wheel of Speedworks Motorsport’s Toyota Avensis, after passing pole-sitter Jeff Smith into the first corner on the opening lap.

It marks a third victory in the series for the Northwich team.

However securing third place at the end of the second sprint, with maximum success ballast slowing the car down and with faster rivals desperate to overtake, ranks as the 23-year-old’s best display according to team principal Christian Dick.

“To take another podium shows just how much we’ve improved,” he said.

“We were aiming for the top six in race two, so to be third was exceptional – arguably the most impressive drive since Tom joined the BTCC [in 2014].”

From sixth on the grid in the afternoon’s finale, this time with an extra 57kg on board and on a softer, less durable tyre, Ingram crossed the line 11th after a nudge from Matt Neal (Honda Yuasa Racing Civic) sent him skidding across the gravel.

It still left him with his largest points-haul to date, ensuring he returned home sat second in the overall drivers’ standings.

Meanwhile Speedworks occupy third spot in the teams table.

After topping the time-sheet during an official pre-season test at Donington Park, Ingram was fastest again in each of two free practice sessions on Saturday.

However, he was be pipped to pole by Smith during a half-hour qualifying period interrupted by rain and red flags.

A textbook start when the lights went out at the Kent circuit the next day saw him sweep around the outside of his rival’s Honda Civic before Paddock Hill Bend.

Ingram was flawless too from a restart following a spell behind the safety car, and extended a gap to champion Gordon Shedden in the remainder.

“The start was key,” he said.

“I knew that was my opportunity, and if I got it right I could keep it steady and maintain a gap to everybody else.

“It was awesome to win the first race of the season again, and it’s the only time all year when everybody is on a level playing field with no success ballast to take into account.”

The series heads next to Donington on Sunday week.

Ingram added: “We’ve shown we’re a force to be reckoned with and are firmly in the mix – and that’s massively exciting.”