2023: World Title Mission

British rally star Chris Ingram sets high stakes for Monte-Carlo season-opener

2019 European Rally Champion targets WRC class title with Rally Warrior army

British rally ace Chris Ingram, 2019 European Rally Champion, has outlined one clear objective for the forthcoming FIA World Rally Championship: to fight for his first WRC class title. 

Chris will make his season debut at the prestigious Monte-Carlo round of the WRC in two weeks’ time with the same car, same partners and the same passion and commitment with which he battled consistently for the drivers’ honours in 2022. 

Across a curtailed six-round campaign in WRC2 last season, Chris emerged as the leading privateer, taking the fight to the manufacturer-backed crews. He now plans to use that experience to mount a more sustained campaign for the forthcoming season.

Chris said: “I am fully focused on showing my full potential in Monte-Carlo, one of the jewels in the WRC crown – and then use my recent experience to build a solid title push in 2023. The years since the pandemic have been tough; I didn’t compete for 18 months after becoming European Champion, then I jumped in at the deep end in WRC2 with little practice. I have regained a huge amount of self-belief and speed which showed in my performances last season. I have a vision and have worked at it step by step to get to this point. The sport’s biggest names have taken notice, now it’s time to make it count.”

Chris is now calling on his Rally Warrior army to help him to realise his mission by launching a crowdfunding campaign with unique prizes. He cites his fans as the reason for his 2019 success, and keeping his passion alive during tough years.

He said: “I have spent the last months working relentlessly to raise further funding to enable me to compete and practice throughout 2023. Due to the current economic climate in the UK, it has been extremely difficult to find new brand partners to support our 2023 campaign, despite the progress made in 2022 and being on the cusp of the next step. I feel I have exhausted every option so have decided to launch a new campaign ahead of Rallye Monte Carlo.

“My loyal supporters, many of whom contributed to my 2019 ERC crowdfunding and helped me clinch the European Rally Championship title, have suggested to me on social media that I should start a new WRC crowdfunding campaign. You can now be part of my team, access exclusive rally content, have your name on the car throughout the season in WRC, plus win unique prizes such as merchandise, a Rally Experience Day including a ride in the WRC2 car with me, and VIP tickets to WRC rounds. It’s an innovative way to bring my fans along on the journey!”

Chris will have a strong team behind him for the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo, which gets underway at Casino Square on 19 January. He will again be joined by co-driver Craig Drew and WRC2 teams’ champions Toksport WRT. 

“I’ve not been behind the wheel of a rally car for four to five months, and I’ve missed it badly! I’ve been keeping busy training and working relentlessly on putting the 2023 season together. 

“Monte is my all-time favourite rally and one of the most challenging due to the demanding twisty roads and changing conditions. Last year went really well. If it wasn’t for an unlucky technical issue on the first evening, we’d have been fighting for the overall WRC2 win. 

“I know my pace is very strong in the 2022 Toksport car.  Although my rivals have benefitted from thousands of miles testing the new car, I feel we have a strong package to fight for the win with the ‘old’ car. Hopefully we can secure further funding to be able to make the upgrade in the next couple of rallies. I am very grateful to my partners and investors for their continued belief; however, I still have to find more support to have a real chance at winning rallies and the WRC2 World title.” 

So far, for 2023, Chris has extended partnerships with all his loyal partners; Toksport WRT, CarFinance 247, Kroon Oil, Stilo Helmets, Nicky Grist Motorsport, HAH Spirits, Easywrite, Pirelli, CPASE, SQN Agency, and welcomes new racewear partner P1 Racewear. Chris also says huge congratulations to Charlotte Gilley MBE, founder of the Maverick Stars Trust, and thanks her for her continued support.

To find out more about Chris, his innovative crowdfunding campaign and his 2023 ambitions, please contact: 

Chris@rallywarrior.com

chris.hughes@sinequanon-intl.com

Chris Ingram WRC – Rally Warrior Army Crowdfunding campaign:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/chris-ingram-wrc

Credits: Car design image by Kyriakos Taliotis. Words by Chris Hughes.
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