Ingram Claims Pole at BTCC Croft, Championship Leader Sutton Struggles
Tom Ingram demonstrated a dominant performance during the qualifying rounds of the British Touring Car Championship at Croft, securing pole position through all three competitive phases. Piloting his Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai i30 N Fastback, Ingram replicated his commanding display from the previous round at Oulton Park before the summer break. Despite operating with restricted TOCA Turbo Boost due to his strong standing in the 2025 championship, Ingram's pace remained unmatched. His teammate, Tom Chilton, initially posted a faster lap in the Firestone Fast Six shootout but saw his effort invalidated due to track limit violations, a common challenge on this demanding circuit. Chilton, despite a prior heavy crash in practice, still managed to secure a commendable fourth place on the grid, underscoring the team's resilience.
Joining Ingram on the front row will be Dan Cammish, representing Alliance Racing in his NAPA Ford Focus ST. Cammish, despite also facing TTB limitations, proved to be the quickest among the local Yorkshire drivers, ending up just over a quarter of a second behind Ingram. Independent driver Mikey Doble continued his impressive run, achieving a strong third position in his Power Maxed Racing Vauxhall Astra, further solidifying his reputation. The session also saw a number of drivers, including Dan Rowbottom and Dan Lloyd, losing faster lap times to track limit penalties. Notably, championship leader Ash Sutton struggled to find clean laps, with several of his best efforts being disallowed. Despite a quick theoretical pace, Sutton's 'legal' laps left him in eleventh place, highlighting the fine margins and strict regulations within the series. This sets the stage for an intriguing race day, with key championship contenders starting further down the order.
Further compounding the challenges faced by some teams, reigning champion Jake Hill was forced to withdraw from the remainder of the weekend's events due to a disorientating ear infection. This medical absence also led to the decision not to field Colin Turkington, who had briefly substituted for Hill in practice, avoiding undue pressure on a driver unfamiliar with the current car specifications. The qualifying session underscored the competitive intensity of the BTCC, where precision and adherence to rules are as crucial as raw speed. The dramatic swings in fortunes, from Ingram's commanding pole to the unexpected struggles of championship leaders, ensure that the upcoming races at Croft will be highly anticipated, promising fierce battles for positions and championship points.
The spirit of competitive excellence and unwavering determination is vividly displayed in events like the BTCC. Despite setbacks such as injuries or technical penalties, the dedication of teams and drivers to push boundaries and perform at their peak inspires us all. It reminds us that every challenge, whether it's a track limit infringement or a sudden illness, can be overcome with perseverance and a positive mindset. The pursuit of victory, while thrilling, also highlights the importance of fair play and adherence to rules, fostering an environment where talent and hard work are truly rewarded. This relentless pursuit of improvement and the ability to adapt to adversity resonate far beyond the racetrack, encouraging a proactive and resilient approach to all aspects of life.