Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS star tops a super Saturday in Cheshire

Tom Ingram completely smashed the existing BTCC qualifying lap record at Oulton Park earlier today (22 June), as the country's best tin-top stars arguably produced the most exciting qualifying session of the season so far.

The pace was relentless from the outset with title contender Jake Hill squeezing through the opening segment of qualifying, as the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport man progressed with just 0.002s to spare.

The next segment proved a step too far for Hill, however, as both he and Team BMW stablemate Colin Turkington were among those to fall at the second hurdle.

The lap times were already well under the existing 2023 qualifying lap record – set by reigning champion Ash Sutton – but the best was yet to come during the 'Quick Six' finale around the beautiful 2.23-mile circuit.

Three Ford Focuses, two Hyundai i30Ns and a sole BMW 330e M Sport progressed to the showdown, but it was anyone's guess as to who would snatch pole position.

It was Ingram that surged forward to record one of the best laps of his illustrious career. The Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' racer's 1:24.194s lap time took well over half a second off the previous 2023 benchmark and was more than enough to secure his third pole position of the season.

If Ingram's lap was impressive then the same has to be said for championship leader Sutton, with the #1 NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus lining up on the outside of the front row despite minimal hybrid deployment available during qualifying due to his stellar position in the standings.

Sutton's team-mate Dan Cammish continued his good run of form – following a trio of second places at Thruxton last time out – with a third place here during qualifying.

Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS' Tom Chilton was an impressive fourth ahead of the third NAPA Racing UK machine of Dan Rowbottom, whilst Team BMW's Adam Morgan completed the top six.

Hill drove well to take seventh – minimising the deficit to some of his title rivals ahead – with the top ten being rounded out by Árón Taylor-Smith (Evans Halshaw Power Maxed Racing), Turkington (Team BMW) and Josh Cook (LKQ Euro Car Parts with SYNETIQ).

Rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place at Oulton Park tomorrow. Trackside fans can enjoy the BTCC races at 1225, 1440 and 1725 respectively, whilst those unable to make it can watch full race day live and exclusive coverage on ITV4 from 1145. Fans throughout the world can also watch every BTCC race live via the ITV Sport TikTok channel.

Tom Ingram said: “It felt pretty special if I’m honest, absolutely amazing. The car has just felt so alive this weekend, it has felt superb. Everyone at Team BRISTOL STREET MOTORS has done something remarkable with this car, it feels so special to drive, it’s just an absolute pleasure. This circuit is about hooking everything up so it’s really confidence inspiring. So much about this game is about staying headstrong, so if the car is feeling good and we’re not having to chase things, we’re in a really good place.”

Ash Sutton said: “If someone had offered me the front row at the start of the weekend, I’d have been delighted. It’s a mega result for me and everyone at NAPA Racing UK. We’re just over a tenth behind Tom, so if you consider the hybrid deficit then it’s clear we have a very fast race car. We’ve been particularly strong at the start so if we can get a battle on with Tom that will be ideal, but I’ve also got two team-mates directly behind me. We’ve continued our record of making it through to Q3.”

Dan Cammish said: “I think we’re looking considerably better here than we have over the last two years. This is definitely the best NAPA Racing UK car I’ve ever driven. For me, the changes we’ve made over the winter... it feels transformed and I feel a million miles ahead of where I was in year one and two. I want to make sure I’m in that battle at the end of the season when things get heated, maybe I can just get that bit closer. I am in this battle, write me off at your peril. I am full of confidence going forward.”

Oulton Park - Qualifying - Final Classification