Ingram crowns ‘best year of his life’ with 2010 Ginetta Junior trophy

The deserved reward for a season’s immensely hard graft and a series of sublime performances right out of the very top drawer, Tom Ingram’s brilliant success in being crowned 2010 Ginetta Junior Champion at Brands Hatch has, he acknowledges, ‘made all of the sacrifices worthwhile’.

Tom’s triumph this year – like all of those throughout his career to-date – has been achieved very much against-the-odds, on a shoestring budget that pales in comparison with virtually all of his competitors. Unable even to test until the second half of the campaign, that the highly-rated young High Wycombe star arrived at Brands Hatch with a 42-point advantage in the title standings was remarkable. That he left again 65 points clear and with his name proudly engraved upon the champion’s trophy was nothing short of outstanding.

“I was confident I could do it, because I knew my only title rival Jake Hill needed to overturn a big points deficit,” the 17-year-old explained, shrugging off the notion of any pre-race nerves. “The pressure was on him, not me. Brands is his home circuit, but we tested there the Wednesday before the weekend and were pretty quick – only a tenth of a second or so off Jake’s time – so I knew we were going to be there or thereabouts.”

In a damp first practice session – conditions in which Tom invariably both revels and excels, with his impressive car control coming to the fore – the Hillspeed ace lapped quickest of anyone, more than a second ahead of Hill. The pair of them then went on to slug it out for the honour of topping the timesheets in a rather drier session two, trading fastest lap times as Hill got the verdict by a miniscule 14 thousandths of a second.

The fact that third place was more than half-a-second further in arrears only went to underline their dominance – but whilst Jake might have won that particular battle, it was Tom who would go on to win the war. After lining up a close and competitive third on the grid for race one right behind Hill – and in front of a record crowd of some 42,000 spectators – he knew what he had to do.

“I was just aiming to keep out-of-trouble,” he confessed. “I got a good start, and after that I knew if I just maintained my position I would be ok. I latched onto the back of the two leaders and then waited for it all to unfold, which I knew it would because Jake had to win to stay in contention – he had to go for it.

“We had a safety car period towards the end of the race, and Jake obviously didn’t warm his tyres up sufficiently for the re-start because when he went into the first corner and went for a move for the lead around the outside, he lost the rear of his car and ended up in the gravel trap. That was just a huge relief for me, because I knew then that I was the champion.

“After that, I had last year’s champion pushing me hard behind, but I just had to keep my head and make sure I didn’t do anything stupid over the last two laps. When I crossed the line it was absolutely fantastic! I just went crazy – I think I had all the indicators and windscreen wipers going! When I got out of the car afterwards, I didn’t know what to do or which way to turn – the excitement was just incredible!”

Admitting that the podium champagne was the best it’s ever tasted, Tom found himself besieged by well-wishers and fans all eager to offer their congratulations and get a photo or autograph from the sport’s newest superstar. And whilst race two was somewhat academic after that, with the tension lifted, he knew he could simply go out there and have some fun.

“I made a decent start again and slotted in behind the two leaders,” recalled the Conway House, Teng Tools, NP Aerospace and Mr. Signs-backed hotshot. “Louise Richardson spun out of second place a few laps in, which I managed to avoid, and then we had a couple of safety car periods, which left only a two-lap dash to the flag.

“I knew I was quick enough to have a go at Jake for the lead, and I was looking to see if I could make a move anywhere and just put him under pressure – but then the red flag came out. He’s been a great rival all year, though, and I was really pleased with second to finish the season – it was just an extra little bonus, to be honest!”

That it was, and as he looked back afterwards on a campaign that had yielded a magnificent five victories, 13 podium finishes, six pole positions and eight fastest laps – and flawless consistency that established him as the only front-runner to take the chequered flag in every single outing – the former British Karting Champion was left to bask in what he reflected is beyond doubt the greatest achievement of his career thus far.

“I need to thank everyone,” he affirmed. “The whole team have worked so hard and pulled together so well to give me a fantastic car and get every last smidgen of time out of it every time, and anything that could be improved they always did – Hillspeed are just a fantastic bunch of guys. My sponsors have all been tremendous too, and my family have made so many sacrifices this year and in previous years to keep me on the grid. This is for all of them.

“It’s just been the best year of my life! To win the title means everything to me – it makes everything we’ve gone through along the way so worthwhile. I can’t believe it, really – I’m still waiting for it to sink in!”

Perhaps the last word, though, should go to Hillspeed team principal Richard Ollerenshaw – the man who put his faith in Tom and recognised in him the talent and potential that the Bucks speed demon has gone on to underline each and every time he has taken to the racetrack. That faith has been repaid with interest.

“It’s been an exceptional season for Tom,” Ollerenshaw enthused. “From his first run in the car with us at Thruxton, he has been exceptionally smooth and quick – but alongside his raw pace, he has an inward ability to assess any scenario as it develops and play it through to understand what is the best result he can achieve in that situation. His ability to think clearly while in the car is what has ultimately brought him the championship – he has proven himself considerably better at that part of driving than anybody else.

“Without a doubt, his success has also been built on his consistency. The outright pace was there from the outset – and was evident from his double victories at Silverstone and Knockhill – but because of his financial situation, he knew he couldn’t afford to take any undue risks. He utilised his skill to evaluate every situation and get the best out of them all without doing anything that might have prevented him from making the next round, especially after a lack of budget had impacted so heavily on his 2009 season.

“It’s been an exceptional championship year for us all. Tom has been a pleasure to work with and he is very much a deserving champion – probably the most deserving champion in any championship for a number of years.”

In the Ginetta Junior Championship 2010, Tom Ingram was indeed unquestionably the class of the field. Sometimes, as they say, the good guys really do finish first.