Speedworks join forces with Toyota to build new touring car

Speedworks have received the backing of Toyota o build a version of their new Corolla for Tom Ingram to drive in next season’s British Touring Car Championship.

It is a significant development for a team that has run a privately-funded Avensis since joining the series in 2011.

They have won the Independent Teams’ and Drivers’ Trophy in each of the past two years, while Ingram was runner-up to Colin Turkington in the overall title race in 2018.

He had been third the previous summer and celebrated a maiden race victory in the 2016 opener.

Speedworks Motorsport will build and race a Corolla in the British Touring Car Championship next season under the Team Toyota GB banner

“We feel we’ve proved what we are capable of,” said principal Christian Dick, who runs Speedworks from a workshop in Antrobus with his wife Amy.

“As a team it’s time to pitch ourselves against the very best and, with Toyota’s backing, we’re confident of doing just that.

He hopes the car will be ready for testing early next year when it will run under the banner Team Toyota GB with Speedworks Motorsport.

There are plans to add a second machine in 2020.

Speedworks Motorsport will build and race a Corolla in the British Touring Car Championship next season under the Team Toyota GB banner

Ingram has been behind the wheel of their Avensis from the moment he made his debut and enjoyed his best campaign to date last time out when he pursued Turkington until the penultimate race at Brands Hatch.

The 25-year-old from High Wycombe has nine wins to his name and is considered by most observers to be a future champion.

He said: “To attract the support of a major manufacturer phenomenal and huge credit must go to Christian and Amy who have worked so hard to put this deal together.

“What we have accomplished as a small team, particularly over the past two years, has been nothing short of mind-blowing.”

The 2019 edition starts in April.