COSTLY ERROR DEPRIVES INGRAMContinuing a string of excellent results, Jon Ingram added third overall on the opening round of the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship (BRC), the International Rally of Wales on 23rd/24th April. Ingram recently won the Wold Construction North Humberside and Astra National Rallies as part of his BRC build up in his Ford Focus World Rally Car.Ingram and his Mid Wales co-driver, Shaun O'Gorman started the Dolgellau based rally eager to get their BRC campaign off to a good start. Following the two opening tests in Dyfi and Gartheiniog, the Altrincham driver and his Newtown co-driver were surprised to be in fifth place having been hampered by early brake problems.Over the next three stages, two of which were a repeat of the earlier stages, Ingram and O'Gorman move up to third following the retirement of Mark Higgins (mechanical) and Matthew Wilson (accident).On arrival at the overnight halt, second place was just 3.9 seconds away and was making for exciting early morning start in the Mid Wales forests of Hafren, Myherin and Taliesin. However, the re-start did not go to plan for the Ford Focus pairing."We had been plagued with brake problems, but very encouraged to be so close to second place overnight. We had an awful time on the opening stage on Sunday in Hafren, dropping a load of time when the windscreen steamed up after the first water splash. We were slowed for a while until it cleared."The pair placed a third fastest time on the penultimate stage of the rally and moved into second place. They were then mis-informed of a comfortable 12 second lead over third place and through the final 5.6 mile stage, Ingram drove with the runner up spot firmly in mind, only to be deprived of the placing at the stage finish by 8 seconds. Despite the costly time error, Ingram was upbeat with his result on the BRC qualifier."I'm delighted with a podium finish on the opening round. The result has not been without problem, the brakes and timing error, but still delighted. We feel we are getting somewhere with the car and also feel there is more to come. Mathew's (Wilson) accident really puts all this into perspective and we all wish him and Scott (Martin) a full and speedy recovery."The next event for Ingram and O'Gorman should be on the Pirelli International Rally. Carlisle based rally taking place on 20th/21st May.