Tom Ingram Extends Lead with Impressive Victory at Knockhill
Tom Ingram delivered a masterclass performance to extend his lead in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with a commanding victory in the second race of the day at Knockhill. Starting from third on the grid, Ingram showcased exceptional skill and strategy, ultimately securing the win by over seven seconds.
Ingram’s Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai i30 N Fastback was well-prepared for the challenge, starting on soft Goodyear tyres. This contrasted with the front-row starters, Jake Hill and Charles Rainford, who were forced onto medium compound tyres. This strategic decision played a crucial role in the race dynamics, as the rest of the field used soft tyres, giving them an advantage in terms of grip and speed.
From the start, Ingram quickly moved up the order, taking second place on the opening lap by overtaking Rainford on the outside of the hairpin. He then positioned himself behind Hill, setting up a thrilling battle for the lead. On the third lap, Ingram made a bold move, taking the inside line at the Clark right-hander to overtake Hill. The two drivers engaged in a fierce side-by-side battle, swapping paint before Ingram completed the maneuver at the hairpin.
Hill displayed remarkable resilience, holding on in second place for 11 laps despite the challenges posed by the medium tyres. However, the pressure eventually took its toll, and Dan Cammish, driving the Alliance Racing-run NAPA Ford Focus ST, capitalized on Hill’s slide at the hairpin to take the runner-up position. Senna Proctor followed suit, passing Hill at the same corner in the next lap.
Ash Sutton, another key contender, made a strong comeback after losing positions early in the race. He managed to pass Hill into Duffus and executed a beautiful multi-corner move on Proctor to secure third place. Throughout the final nine laps, Sutton worked tirelessly to close the gap to Cammish, and just as Cammish had done for Ingram in the previous race, he allowed Sutton to take the second-place finish, earning him extra points.
After the race, Ingram reflected on his performance, calling it “absolutely perfect.” He praised his car’s performance, noting that it felt like it was on another level. Ingram emphasized the importance of maintaining control throughout the race, particularly managing tyre wear in case of a safety car.
Sutton’s performance was a highlight of the race, especially considering he dropped to eighth place early on after battling Aiden Moffat. His determination and skill enabled him to climb back through the field, showcasing his resilience and talent.
The results highlighted the competitiveness of the field, with several drivers making significant moves. Behind Proctor, Hill was closely followed by Daryl DeLeon in the sister WSR BMW. Meanwhile, Moffat secured a podium finish, completing a WSR BMW 5-6-7 with his team-mates.
Tom Chilton, a veteran driver, also made a strong showing, charging through from the back of the grid after being excluded from the first race for overboosting. Dan Rowbottom and Adam Morgan rounded out the top 10, adding to the excitement of the event.
Race Results
| Position | Driver | Car / Engine | Laps | Time | Delay |
|———-|—————-|——————–|——|————–|———–|
| 1 | Tom Ingram | Hyundai | 24 | 20’59.339 | |
| 2 | Ash Sutton | Ford | 24 | 21’06.535 | +7.196 |
| 3 | Dan Cammish | Ford | 24 | 21’07.313 | +7.974 |
| 4 | Senna Proctor | Hyundai | 24 | 21’12.172 | +12.833 |
| 5 | Jake Hill | BMW | 24 | 21’12.825 | +13.486 |
| 6 | Daryl DeLeon | BMW | 24 | 21’13.593 | +14.254 |
| 7 | Aiden Moffat | BMW | 24 | 21’15.596 | +16.257 |
| 8 | Tom Chilton | Hyundai | 24 | 21’16.109 | +16.770 |
| 9 | Dan Rowbottom | Ford | 24 | 21’17.008 | +17.669 |
| 10 | Adam Morgan | Hyundai | 24 | 21’19.496 | +20.157 |
Ingram’s performance not only solidified his position at the top of the championship standings but also set the stage for an exciting finale. With the reversed-grid draw, Ingram will start on pole for the final race, although he will have to use medium tyres, adding an extra layer of challenge to the competition.
