Team Toyota GB’s Tom Ingram is feeling optimistic ahead of the triple header of British Touring Car Championship races at Oulton Park today despite admitting there is “still a chunk” of time to find in his Toyota.
The 2018 runner-up gave the new-for-2019 Corolla its maiden victory in race three at Donington Park, but admits there is still more to come from the car as the halfway mark of the season approaches.
Ingram told TouringCars.Net he was “fairly pleased” with ninth in qualifying yesterday, and feels the Speedworks-run operation are “moving in the right direction” in their efforts to make the car a regular frontrunner
“Fairly pleased with yesterday, it was the strongest showing we’ve had with the car in qualifying spec which is good, it’s progress being made,” said Ingram.
“Of course we’re after a little bit more, we’re still a chunk away but when you start to look through the data there’s two very obvious areas as to where that is which is good.
“We’re starting to hone in on the problem areas that we have. Everything is moving in the right direction, the car is improving, we’re understanding it more and we’re starting to find what it needs and what it requires.
“I think moving forwards by the time we’ve had the Snetterton tyre test that will be really good for us. All moving in the right direction.”
With the Cheshire circuit having a reputation as difficult to overtake, Ingram feels his best chance for a “very solid result” will be in the final reverse-grid encounter, but is optimistic for the second contest which he starts on the softer Dunlop rubber.
“Today again I think our best chance of having a very solid result is in that reverse draw, but leading up to that for the first two races it’s really going to be a case of staying out of trouble,” he said.
“We’ll score some points and try to make the second race our strongest one which we’re on the softer tyre for, so we shall see.”
“It’s nice now that we’re in a position where we can get stuck in and race hard.
“It’ll be a good day.”