Ingram 'didn't expect' P5 qualifying pace

Speedworks Motorsport's Tom Ingram says the performance of his Toyota Avensis exceeded his expectations during qualifying for tomorrow's first British Touring Car Championship race at Snetterton.

Ingram defied running 66 kilos of success ballast by qualifying his Speedworks Motorsport prepared Avensis in fifth position after producing a mighty lap during the 30-minute shootout.

While championship leader Colin Turkington struggled down in 15th with a 1 minute 56.429s lap, Ingram was able to conjure a late 1 minute 55s effort, less than 0.4s shy of Jack Goff's pole position time.

With that in mind, Ingram is relishing the chance of attacking qualifying for tomorrow's Diamond Double anniversary race later this afternoon.

"I’m very pleased," Ingram told Crash.net. "I don’t think we honestly expected it going into the session. It was always going to be really difficult with the weight we’re carrying.

"I’m kind of looking forward to this next session without the ballast. It’s a weird one this weekend because everyone is looking at race three. Which means both sessions are as important as each other really.

"We’ve got to make sure we’re right in the mix come this session as well."

With each of the 31-cars set to attack qualifying for tomorrow's double points with zero success ballast, Ingram is predicting a 'super quick' 15-minute shootout.

"I was think low 56s, not a late 55. It’ll be interesting to see what the pace is now. I think it’ll be a very low 55. It’s going to super, super quick. Everyone is going to be pushing like mad," Ingram continued.

"It’s going to be quite an exciting session. I think Turkington will be fancying his chances. I’m fancying my chances! If we’re truthfully honest, I think its Goff’s."