Chris Ingram wins a podium place at the WRC Portugal rally
Competing in only their second event together, Chris Ingram and his co-driver Craig Drew took home not one, but two podium finishes at the WRC Portugal rally, winning the JWRC and coming third in the WRC2 competition.
Despite a whole host of obstacles being thrown in their way, the team’s stamina, focus, and commitment carried them home and helped them to see off some very seasoned competitors to take 12th place in the overall standings.
They delivered a consistent performance throughout each stage and put on an impressive display for the more than a million event spectators in attendance.
Friday saw Chris and Craig leading the JWRC class and making the top six of the WRC2. Unfortunately, a puncture on the last loop led to them being pipped at the post, but their confidence wasn’t deflated, and the boys were determined to retake the top spot on Saturday.
After a night of rest, the pair were raring to go and quickly regained their JWRC position. However, the dust was determined not to make it easy for them, causing visibility issues, slowing the pace, and throwing several teams off balance.
But the team didn’t let these harsh conditions stand in their way and managed to maintain their lead throughout the day. Another last-minute puncture could have caused a disaster, but thanks to their already strong lead and an incredibly speedy tyre change, they were able to keep hold of first place.
The final day arrived with even more challenging conditions with the weather in the Portuguese hills taking a turn for the worse. With limited tyre choices available, the duo had to rely on their mental agility, stamina, and robust car to carry them through. Despite the weather’s best efforts, Chris and Craig didn’t falter and were able to put in some impressive times ahead of the infamous Fafe stage.
Thousands of spectators crowded to see the drivers take on the world-famous Fafe jump, putting even more pressure on the drivers who knew that just one puncture could shatter their dreams of a podium finish. It’s a real testament to the team’s experience, skill, and judgement that they were able to make the jump without any damage – the JWRC win was theirs!
Reflecting on the race, Chris said: “That was the toughest, most physically and mentally demanding rally I’ve ever competed in, trying to keep the car in one piece and avoid punctures.”
With their partnership cemented, Chris and Craig can now enjoy a quick breather before jumping back into action at the WRC Sardinia rally next week.
The boys now lead the JWRC Championship and hold 4th place in the WRC Championship overall.