Tom Ingram and Speedworks Motorsport successfully defended their hard-won Independent crowns in the 2018 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finale at Brands Hatch last weekend as the talented young Bucks ace came within just 12 points of stealing the biggest prize in UK motorsport at the iconic Kent track.

The Wycombe ace arrived at Brands Hatch 34 points behind title leader Colin Turkington but a brave effort saw him close the gap, but in the end was just narrowly defeated over the weekend.

Ingram said: “Coming into 2018, we had our sights set on the outright title. 

“It was perhaps a little bit tongue-in-cheek given the might of the manufacturer-backed teams we are up against, and to put together a successful championship-winning bid in what is Britain’s toughest motorsport series is a huge challenge, but that was our goal.

“You can always look back at what could have been or should have been, but we can’t dwell and overall it has been one hell of a year for us. 

"The Avensis has been an absolute joy to drive, and the support we have received has been nothing short of mind-blowing.

“We’ve got some amazing people here at Speedworks, and the work they all put in is truly second-to-none, both at the track and behind-the-scenes back at the factory – they’re a brilliant bunch of lads and I couldn’t ask to have a better team around me.

“Obviously I’m bitterly disappointed, but Colin is a great champion and has done a fantastic job so all credit to him, and we certainly didn’t go down without a fight.”