Team Toyota GB’s Tom Ingram says his new-for-2019 Toyota Corolla now feels better than the Avensis with which he finished the 2018 season as runner-up, after securing a maiden pole for the car at Snetterton.
Ingram, who won the third race at Donington Park to give the new Corolla its first race win, secured pole by just two-thousandths from practice pacesetter Dan Cammish.
He told TouringCars.Net the result felt “more authentic” than the Donington win as it was completed on “genuine pace” which made it hugely satisfying.
“This feels a little bit more authentic, and it’s not been materialised in the sense that we were on the right tyre in the reverse-grid with no weight and all that sort of stuff,” said Ingram.
“This has been done on genuine pace and improvements in the car. So I’m well chuffed – I’m so so happy.
“I really feel like we’ve achieved something massive this weekend. Race wins and podiums are all good, but pole positions mean you’re the fastest car out there, and they’re cool!
“Especially when there’s bugger all in it as well! I’d have liked for it to be two tenths, but I’ll take two thousandths, Jesus!
“But I’m well chuffed with that, I’m really happy with that.”
Ingram feels that huge strides were made in terms of development at the Snetterton test, and now believes the Corolla feels “magical” and even better than its successful predecessor.
“There’s loads – there’s not just one thing [that has changed],” said Ingram.
“There’s one big thing, and then there’s lots and lots and lots of small things that have all added up, which is really exciting.
“It feels better than the Avensis, it feels just magical. It’s really, really exciting.
“A lot of the work we’ve been doing is just working on the balance, so we’ve not done that much race running – just mostly on getting the car to be better and feel better.
“So we’ve not done that many race runs but I don’t think we’ll be in too bad a shape. We’re fairly confident tomorrow that we’ve got a very good opportunity.”