The month of October has been a good one for Chris Ingram. Officially crowned as two-wheel drive European champion on the 8th, the Manchester-based driver was then signed up by Vauxhall Motorsport to compete in the Wales Rally GB – commencing this weekend.
Chris’ impressive performances this season caught the eye of Network Q, who moved quickly to include the 22-year-old among their stellar line-up.
His achievements have also yielded a fantastic amount of coverage among national broadcasters including ITV and Eurosport. This has in turn seen the Andrews Heat for Hire branding – historically iconic in motor racing – frequently appear in live footage, features and interviews with Chris.
Reflecting on an incredible year, he summarised: “It has been the best season of my career so far which has culminated in me winning the FIA European title. We have competed at some amazing places such as the Rally Azores, which featured roads on volcano edges as well as closed road rallies in Belgium and Czech Republic.
“Getting five podiums in a row to secure the European two-wheel drive rally title is an achievement I am very proud of but it is thanks to my Opel team and my sponsor Andrews Heat for Hire. Without their support, this would not have been possible!”
The Wales Rally GB presents Chris with an opportunity to compete near the area in which he grew up, as it features a stage in the somewhat serene Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire. Incidentally, the World Rally Championship is back on English soil for the first time since the ‘90s, while Ingram himself is the first British driver to be backed by Vauxhall for sixteen years!
Around 100,000 spectators will be track-side for the 22-stage contest, which will see drivers tour a gruelling 333 kilometres of terrain in what are expected to be unusually dry conditions.
Friday marks a new chapter in Chris’ career, and he has spoken at length about his excitement at competing a short distance away from the area in which he originally honed his driving skills.
Everyone associated with Andrews would like to wish him the very best of luck with his latest conquest and hope that both he and the whole team enjoy a successful weekend behind the wheel.