WRC debutant Chris Ingram produced a great performance on this weekend’s Rally Croatia, finishing 16th overall and fifth in the WRC3 class.
Despite an enforced 18-month lay-off from the sport, the 2013 John Easson Award winner proved that he was more than capable of mixing times with the front runners in the category.
“The Croatia Rally was amazing yet so challenging, especially to jump in at this incredibly high level after so long.But we were happy to take the tough lessons and finish,” said Chris.
“It’s been hard to concede and accept it’s going to take some more time and practice to get back to the top level and beyond,”
Chris and co-driver Ross Whittock set out with a measured approach to the event, getting as much experience and mileage under their belts – and to bring their SXM prepared Skoda Rally2 Evo home in one piece.
And that is exactly what they did.
Lying sixth overall in WRC3 at the end of day one, the pair were well-placed to make a push on day two.
Chris and Ross were soon up to third and looking set for a hard-earned podium finish.
However, a small ‘off’ on stage 18, two from the end, bent the steering and the minute lost dropped them down to fifth, four minutes and 24 seconds behind WRC3 winner Katejan Katejanowicz.
Added Chris: “To everyone backing us, thanks so much for your amazing support and belief, and a big thank you to our team and their partners.
“We’ll get there soon, and I can’t wait for the gravel rounds of Portugal next!”Picture courtesy: Chris Ingram Rally/Facebook.
“The Croatia Rally was amazing yet so challenging, especially to jump in at this incredibly high level after so long.But we were happy to take the tough lessons and finish,” said Chris.
“It’s been hard to concede and accept it’s going to take some more time and practice to get back to the top level and beyond,”
Chris and co-driver Ross Whittock set out with a measured approach to the event, getting as much experience and mileage under their belts – and to bring their SXM prepared Skoda Rally2 Evo home in one piece.
And that is exactly what they did.
Lying sixth overall in WRC3 at the end of day one, the pair were well-placed to make a push on day two.
Chris and Ross were soon up to third and looking set for a hard-earned podium finish.
However, a small ‘off’ on stage 18, two from the end, bent the steering and the minute lost dropped them down to fifth, four minutes and 24 seconds behind WRC3 winner Katejan Katejanowicz.
Added Chris: “To everyone backing us, thanks so much for your amazing support and belief, and a big thank you to our team and their partners.
“We’ll get there soon, and I can’t wait for the gravel rounds of Portugal next!”Picture courtesy: Chris Ingram Rally/Facebook.
