The unsung heroes in any championship victory can often be the team of personnel behind the title-winning driver, and none more so than this year’s ‘BTCC Engineer of the Year’, Spencer Aldridge.
The accolade, which was first introduced in 2016, gives the chance to celebrate the successes of the Chief Engineer behind the Championship-winning car.
Aldridge first worked with the new Kwik Fit British Touring Car Champion Tom Ingram when he made his graduation to the UK’s premier motorsport series back in 2014.
The duo combined during Ingram’s race-winning days at Speedworks Motorsport, as the 29-year-old High Wycombe racer became a regular title contender. Later, Aldridge became a vital ingredient in Ingram’s switch to EXCELR8 Motorsport in 2021.
The long-awaited championship came in 2022, as Aldridge masterminded Tom’s six race wins and further six podiums, with Ingram claiming the title in his Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8 TradePriceCars.com’s Hyundai.
It therefore follows, that after winning one of the most unpredictable Drivers’ Championship battles in recent memory, Aldridge be recognised for both his impressive calibre and his influential contributions to the season.
“Spencer is a really special guy to work with,” said Ingram. “He’s actually like no one else I’ve worked with in the sense that his work ethic is absolutely second to none.
“He’s got an enormous drive and desire to win but will back that up with putting the hard work in as well. And I think because of that, it inspires all the other team, mechanics, and myself to work harder, to match Spencer’s work ethic.”
Ingram credits his maiden overall title to his longstanding relationship with Aldridge, as well as Aldridge’s complete expertise, facilitating a victory over a nail-biting finale that saw four contenders fighting for the biggest prize in British motorsport.
“Spencer knows exactly how to get the best out of me as I know how to get the best out of Spencer.”
“I’m absolutely thrilled that he’s been able to win it. It’s massively well deserved – I’d argue that he should’ve won it a few times before he has!”
Aldridge was awarded the trophy on Saturday 5th November, at the TOCA Night of Champions, which drew the curtain on the electrifying 2022 season.
