INGRAM ENJOYS IRISH SPECTACULARDeciding not to mount any serious championship assault this year, Jon Ingram also decided he would attempt some events on the tarmac roads of Ireland. Last weekend Jon made his first appearance on the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally. Well aware that the steep learning curve of competing in Ireland on a surface that Ingram was not accustomed to for over fifteen years, the Ford Focus World Rally Car driver would have been content with a finish and if possible, inside the top ten.Nobody was more surprised than Ingram to be lying fifth after the opening two stages of the rally. On the second run over the Clogagh stage (SS3) Ingram and co-driver Ian Allsop were seventeen seconds quicker than their first run over that same stage. Their pace was thwarted when the pair lost the brakes on the Focus at the stage finish of Ring. "Our times are very encouraging, but losing the brakes on Ring meant we had to complete the next stage Ballymore without any. We had to pull over twice during the stage to let others pass."At service the Cheshire driver and Allsop had dropped to 12th, but with the brake problem cured the pair decided to push a little quicker. The resulting charge moved the pair back inside the top ten overnight with ninth place."I think it may well have looked wild and the spectacular gravel style may have thrilled the crowds, but it certainly is not the quickest way. Although it has been great fun."On day two the 2006 Get Connected! Wyedean Forest Rally winner had hardened the suspension on the Focus and with a promise to be smoother with his driving style, the English pair battled their way back up the leaderboard to arrive at the finish in fourth place."It has been a great event to do and I am more than happy with the result. To return to asphalt after such a lay off and to be competitive with Irish tarmac regulars has boosted my confidence. Also our Sunday cumulative times were quickest of the day."Ingram and Allsop now head for the RBS International Manx Rally on the Isle of Man over the 5th/6th May."While I have been happy with the pace this weekend, I am really looking forward to making my Manx debut. We also know we still have a lot to learn."