Vansdirect-backed Team VERTU Returns to Winnings Ways at Brands BTCC
Vansdirect-sponsored Team VERTU returned to the top step of the podium during Round 2 of the 2026 British Touring Car Championship as Tom Ingram opened his victory account at Brands Hatch.
The defending champion broke away from the pack in the third and final race of the weekend to claim a dominant success for his and the team’s first of the season.
“For a while it looked like it was going to be another weekend where nothing went our way, but we managed to recover it with the victory in race three,” Ingram said.
“It’s not been a stellar, amazing meeting for us in terms of points, but we’ve done okay, and it was important to get that victory as circumstances have conspired against a little until then.
“We’ve not had the rub of the green a lot in the opening rounds and even in that final race, I made a mega start but then got boxed in going up to turn one and it looked like Ash was going to be able to sail around the outside and take advantage.
“However, one thing that isn’t in doubt is the pace we have in the car and clearly we’re fast, which we were able to show in getting to the front and then controlling things from the front.”
The win ended a dry spell for the team following a difficult start to the season hampered by repeated tough breaks of luck, including rare DNFs, post-race penalties and even an exclusion for a technical infringement.
The costly loss of precious points have conspired to leave Ingram on the back foot in his pursuit for back-to-back titles, but his run to victory in Race 3 at Brands Hatch – following a trio of top five results achieved in the prior Qualifying Race, Race and Race 2 – has elevated him to second in the standings.
“It’s still early in the season and there’s a long way to go, so we’ve got to keep our heads and make sure we’re in the right place at the right time going forward to capitalise on the speed we have.”
More Podium Success for Ricky Collard
Ingram wasn’t the only Team VERTU driver to take pride of place on the podium at Brands Hatch after Ricky Collard turned in a pair of top three results.
Complementing his run to the podium during Round 1 at Donington Park, Collard’s fine performances come as he reacclimatises to the BTCC and the Hyundai i30 N following a period away competing in sportscars.
A second-place finish in Race 1 and a third in Race 2 sees Collard sit a very creditable fourth in the overall standings after two rounds.
“I’m still learning about this car so to be two rounds into the season and already have three podium finishes to my name is a huge positive and it shows we are in a really good place.
“The first two races showed what we’re capable of and we just need to keep working hard to get onto the top step.”
