British Superstock racer John Ingram to make TT debut in 2012
Monday 20 February 2012
TT
Wigan rider John Ingram is the latest rider from the British Championship paddock to announce he will make his debut at the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
Ingram will be supported on the Isle of Man by British Superbike Championship team SMT, whose owner Robin Croft is a long time supporter of the TT having assisted both John McGuinness and Michael Rutter.
Croft has a long association with Ingram, sponsoring his British Superstock campaign for a number of years and, having opted out of this year’s BSB series, Croft is looking to increase his involvement on the roads instead, with Ingram being the first part of that process.
Ingram’s career started in motocross and took to tarmac in 2005. Just a year later he was competing in the British Superstock 1000cc Championship, taking a superb pole at the Brands Hatch race and going on to score points at the majority of the rounds.
The 2007 season was marked with a number of points finishes in the Superstock series, but a lack of finances forced him to miss the majority of 2008 and 2009.
He made a great impact on his return in 2010, which included setting the outright lap record at Aintree, a record that still stands today.
Ingram enjoyed a strong 2011 season with the highlight being an excellent 6th-placed finish in the Superstock race at Croft, with notable scalps including TT racers McGuinness and David Johnson, and he went on to clinch the prestigious Mallory Park Buildbase Trophy.
He made his debut at the Stars at Darley race, finishing 7th and beating Honda TT Legends rider Keith Amor in the second race.
Ingram, who visited the Isle of Man at the weekend, will now become part of the TT newcomers’ programme, which includes guided laps and sessions with TT rider liaison officers John Barton and Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle.
Ingram said:
“It has always been a major ambition of mine to compete at the TT races, but to date the opportunity hasn’t been right.”
“I’m thrilled to finally have everything in place and am working really hard to prepare for my debut this summer.”
TT Rider Liaison Officer John Barton added:
“John has exactly the right skill and temperament to be a great TT racer.”
“He has a really professional approach and will be a strong addition to the pack hopefully for many years to come.”