Thursday, October 24, 2024

British Rally Championship: Who will make history at Cambrian Rally?

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Ingram has the chance to make history as he looks to become the first man to win both the European and British Rally Championship titles.

Ingram was very much the underdog when he won the European Championship in 2019, as he competed against drivers with more finances and resources.

The 30-year-old has hit a financial roadblock on numerous occasions in the years since as he tried to progress in the World Rally Championship.

His 2024 British Rally Championship bid has highlighted what he can do when given a full season in competitive machinery, in which he has driven both a Volkswagen Polo and Toyota GR Yaris.

“We’ve had a really strong year, probably one of the strongest of my career. We’ve either won or been leading every rally,” Ingram said.

“I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ve got to go for it. It would have been horrific if I had just needed to finish in the top three.

“It’s easier going for the win than trying to manage your pace for a podium. It will probably be the same mindset for both of us.”

After the stop-start nature of his career due to a limited budget, Ingram, who adds he now has a strong team around him, feels a British title would “mean more” than his European success.

“It would be very special. I’ve been on a fight back after my career was on hold for 18 months,” he said.

“This year my performances have been so much stronger than when I was in the ERC when I was under so much pressure to just finish events.

“I couldn’t afford to crash. This year I’ve been able to show world class speed.”

Ingram has not hidden his desire to return to the world stage and says winning the British title “would be a very important step for me”.

“Look at Adrien Fourmaux, he won the BRC last year and he’s now at the very top of the WRC,” said Ingram, who added his “ambitions are high”.

“I know I can be there. It would be a big affirmation to me that we could go even further.”

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