Ingram draws first blood at brutal BRC opener

Chris Ingram and Alex Kihurani claimed victory on the opening round of the British Rally Championship [BRC] covered by ITV Sport, by taking the top step of the podium at the Legend Fires North West Stages on Saturday [23 March].

Ingram blasted his Volkswagen Polo GTi through the challenging lanes of Lancashire to four fastest times to secure his maiden BRC win, taking home maximum points in one of the most exciting lineup of series contenders for many years.

The re-invigorated British Rally Championship attracted a record-breaking and star studded entry to the opening round of the season in the twisty and technical closed-public roads around Lancashire. Coupled with several high-speed and open moorland stages, it would be a demanding start to the BRC’s highly anticipated season.

The public came out in force to see the stars and their cars on Friday night at the high street ceremonial start as the crews were waved over the start ramp to a rapturous welcome.

The action would begin on Saturday and the already challenging stages would become even more demanding on cars and crews thanks to a widely changeable weather system. Heavy rain showers were beating down on already sodden stages to add further jeopardy to the scoreboard.

After a strong morning and an intelligent afternoon to consolidate their lead, Ingram and Kihurani take their first BRC win against some of the toughest competition the series has seen in many years. Alex Kihurani also becomes the first American to win a BRC Round in history.

“It’s amazing to take our first win of the season against such strong competition,” said an elated Ingram.

“It’s a fantastic start with the new team and to have Alex back beside me inspired confidence. We did the job, we had a strong start but overall it’s been a difficult day actually; we went out on slicks in the afternoon thinking it would be dry, so I think overall we’ve managed well”.

2023 FIA Junior World Rally Champion, William Creighton, would be the leading M-Sport Ford World Rally Team driver home finishing in 2nd overall.

It would be Ingram’s team mate Meirion Evans, along with co-driver Jonathan Jackson who rounded out the podium, giving the Castrol MEM Rally Team an early lead in the BRC Teams Championship. Despite having only driven the car for a handful of miles prior to the event, Evans did enough to put the all-new Yaris Rally2 into the top three on its UK debut.

Chris Ingram would like to thank his partners, team Castrol MEM Melvyn Evans Motorsport, and the attending rally fans for their tremendous support. 

Chris is supported by; Suisscourtage Assurances Monaco, JV Pastor Group, Castrol, Michelin Motorsport, Kiss Dental, Island Car Centre, Nicky Grist Motorsports, P1 Racewear, Stilo, Monaco Broadcast, CarFinance247 and Easywrite.

Highlights of the Legend Fires North West Stages will be aired on ITV4 and ITVX on Tuesday 2nd April at 17:45 and repeated on Sunday 7th April at 08:00.

The next round of the British Rally Championship heads for the gravel and world-class stages of the Severn Valley, April 13th.

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