Speedworks Motorsport racer Tom Ingram increased his Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship lead at Thruxton with a trio of top-four finishes for the Cheshire outfit.

Ingram claimed fourth in qualifying for the opening round at the UK’s fastest track in Hampshire.

With a solid run to fourth place in race one, the former Ginetta Champion went one better in race two and was also first Independent in a shortened, red-flag affected encounter.

The first race was won by Honda’s Matt Neal, with the second going to the BMW of Rob Collard.

Starting from fourth on the grid for race three, Ingram hauled the Team’s Toyota Avensis up to  second place, finishing behind former BTCC champion Colin Turkington – incidentally the 100th win for a BMW in the BTCC.

It leaves Ingram sitting nicely top of the BTCC overall standings, not to mention the Independents Championship, whilst Speedworks are third in the overall teams standings and first in the Independents Team Championship.

Speaking to btcc.net afterwards, Ingram said: “After last month’s test, we came here knowing we had a car that would struggle to set a quick qualifying time but would be very strong in the races – and we proved that today.

“It’s a cracking points total to take away from Thruxton, and as long as we keep focusing on the consistency, the results will keep coming.

“That approach is paying dividends at the moment. At some stage, the gap will clearly close up but while we’re extending it, then I’m very happy.”

The BTCC now moves to Speedworks’ ‘home’ circuit of Oulton Park in Cheshire on the weekend of May 20/21.