Excler8 Motorsport’s Tom Ingram says he is in a relaxed mood ahead of the penultimate British Touring Car Championship event of the year at Silverstone this weekend.
Ingram is 18 points adrift of the top of the drivers’ standings heading into the weekend, with six races left to run in the 2022 campaign.
Having missed out on the podium last time out at Thruxton, Ingram has actually dropped back slightly in the overall fight, but despite that the 29-year-old says he is in a relaxed mood heading into the weekend.
Part of the reason for feeling relaxed is Ingram’s Silverstone record – he has been on the podium at least once at the circuit for each of the past six years, and with the exception of 2020 he has scored two podium finishes out of three races every year since 2016.
Ingram has also won five times at the Northamptonshire circuit, making it the circuit he has won the most times at in his BTCC career.
“I’m really excited about the weekend ahead as Silverstone is a circuit where I’ve always gone well in the past,” said Ingram.
“People say it looks like an easy circuit when there are only really four corners and a few straights, but that actually makes it more of a challenge because the times are so close.
“You have to really maximise what you have, and I believe that Saturday will be the most important qualifying session we have had so far this season.
“A good grid slot is going to be vital because if you find yourself back in the pack, the fact things are so close will make it tricky to fight your way forwards.
“Although we’re now getting into the business end of the season, I’m feeling really relaxed going into the weekend.
“We’ll just focus on doing the best job possible and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a case of maximum attack.”
Justina Williams, Team Owner, highlighted the importance of a balanced approach to risk in order to secure strong points at Silverstone.
“We’re really getting to the business end of the season now and it’s great for us as a team to be right in the middle of the title fight, as it is where we wanted to be when we first joined the BTCC grid back in 2019,” said Williams.
“There is no doubt that we have taken huge strides forwards over the last few seasons, and now we have to give it our all over these final two rounds to see where we end up in the final reckoning.
“Silverstone is a circuit where all four drivers have gone well in the past, and where we know the Hyundai should be quick which means we can head their in confident mood.
“Whilst it would be nice to come away with some trophies, the points are the most important thing at this stage and hopefully we pick up a good haul to boost our total.”