Setting three consecutive lap records as he relentlessly hunted his quarry down, Ingrams fifth triumph of the campaign was a magnificent performance, but when the heavens opened ahead of race two the next day, the Ginetta GT Supercup protagonists were suddenly faced with rooster-tails of spray and minimal grip. From pole position once moreand despite another less-than-perfect getawaythe 19-year-old British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) Rising Star and MSA Academy member mastered the treacherous conditions with admirable ease.
I always enjoy driving in the rain and weve established a good set-up for the car in the wet, he revealed. I didnt get a good start againtoo many revs resulted in too much wheelspin, dropping me to thirdbut I salvaged second place with a late lunge down the inside into the first corner. After that, I concentrated on trying to reduce the gap to Breeze in the lead.
I was a little bit disappointed when the safety car came out on lap five just as I was really beginning to apply the pressure and had opened up a handy margin over the guys behind, but I kept my tyres nicely warm and at the re-start, Carl went very wide into Turn One. I moved to the inside and he cut back across me on the exit, which resulted in a little bit of contact. I managed to pass him on the inside going into the next corner but couldnt quite get the car stopped in time.
After that, I settled back down and waited for my moment, and on lap 11 as we headed towards Tarzanwhere I knew I was strongI sold Carl a dummy. I moved to the outside before darting across to the inside through the puddles; that put us side-by-side on the run down to the following left-hander, at which point it was a case of last-of-the-late-brakers and I was able to sweep around the outside of him to emerge on top. I then just made sure I kept everything under control, and it was fantastic to make it a double victory!
The reward for another supremely brave manoeuvre as Ingram left his braking literally as late as he dared, the KENNETT brand ambassadors second consecutive success has seen him slash the deficit separating him from the championship lead from 77 points to 44 with 182 still up for grabs.
Better yet, the final two outings will be at Silverstonescene of a similarly dominant double two years agoand Brands Hatch, where he clinched both the Ginetta Junior Championship crown in 2010 and Ginetta G50 Cup laurels 12 months later. The quest for the title hat-trick, he asserts, remains very much on.
The victories at Rockingham were amongst the most satisfying Ive ever achieved as we had to work so hard for them, the former British Karting Champion concluded. Id say it was one of the best weekends of my career. I dont think anybody really expected us to come back and win straightaway, but weve put a lot of those doubts to bed now. Knockhill is just a distant memory. Were still in contentionthis isnt over yet.
