This weekend, Donington Park will welcome 4,500 supporters comprised of members and their families from Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK), based at nearby Burnaston. They will be out in force, cheering on Team Toyota GB with Ginsters, with the Japanese marque back in the BTCC this year as a Manufacturer for the first time in more than two decades.

Driver Tom Ingram is delighted to be able to count on such backing, and is hopeful he’ll be able to produce the goods in the new Corolla to send the hordes home happy.

“It’s going to end up being our adopted home circuit really!” said Ingram. “Speedworks Motorsport has historically counted Oulton Park as its ‘home ground’, but with our Toyota backing and 4,500 employees and their families coming to support us from TMUK, that’s all about to change!

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to have that many people coming out to back us and it’ll be an invaluable help over the weekend, I’m sure. I can’t recall anything on quite this scale and it’s an absolute honour and a privilege for me and all the guys that’ll be working away in the pit garage all weekend. It does add a little ratchet of pressure, but it’s more exciting than anything else.

“We tested at Donington Park last month and I have to say, that was probably the best the car had felt of any of the tests we completed. Donington suits the strengths of this new Corolla. It’s incredible on the brakes, which is a key attribute there, and it’s fantastically balanced through the mid-speed corners which are both attributes that should play into our hands next weekend.

“I think we can be in the mix. We’re light on ballast which will help in qualifying and in the opening round. I’m hopeful a strong result is on the cards, especially with all eyes on me and the Toyota flags flying!”