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| April 03, 2009 |
| PROgression: Tom Ingram - Ginetta Junior Championship |
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 | Tom Ingram
(Photo: Chris Walker - kartpix.net) |
On the eve of his car racing debut, multiple karting champion Tom Ingram has received a significant lift after tying up a sponsorship deal with leading UK clothing brand Joe Bloggs – with marketing director Bushra Ahmed admitting that the High Wycombe ace’s potential is ‘very exciting’.
Joe Bloggs – once famous for producing the world’s most expensive pair of jeans – has in the past backed such illustrious sporting names as boxers Amir Khan, Nigel Benn and Prince Naseem Hamed, cricketer Brian Lara, sprinter Darren Campbell and footballer Alan Shearer, as well as bands including Take That and New Order to name but a few.
However, up until very recently the company had only ever supported the career of one budding young motorsport star in its 24-year history – a certain Lewis Hamilton. Since joining forces with highly promising 11-year-old karter Jay Goodwin last month, though, Joe Bloggs has clearly caught the high-octane bug once more – and has high hopes indeed for the latest addition to its ranks.
“We are very interested in sponsoring teenagers with talent,” revealed Miss Ahmed. “We are the only brand to concentrate fully on youthwear, and would like to be involved with teens who have potential and who can help to promote our range and website (www.joebloggsclothing.co.uk). We are always looking for young sport and music stars that we believe have a bright future ahead of them.
“We had a look at Tom’s portfolio and career to-date and just found it all very exciting. We think Tom is doing a great job out there, and he certainly seems to be getting a lot of press.
“He is a very confident young man. He comes across really well, and he is certainly capable of fighting his corner – it was a really nice, refreshing change to see a young kid that can hold his own. You often find that a lot of teenagers are very shy, but Tom is very talkative and keen to get involved in everything. He has a great, bubbly personality which we love, especially as we would like him to be a part of some of our promotional events.”
With 13 major titles to his name from eight years in karting – including the same one that first set Hamilton on the fast track to superstardom, the national BRDC Stars of Tomorrow (now Formula Kart Stars) Championship – the 15-year-old looks to have a bright future ahead of him indeed. In searching for a young star with the capacity to follow in the current Formula 1 World Champion’s wheeltracks, Joe Bloggs clearly believes the reigning Wycombe and Marlow Sports Personality of the Year has the talent and drive to go all the way.
Tom is graduating to the Ginetta Junior Championship this year – where he will race on the support package for the popular and high-profile, televised British Touring Car Championship – and he recently took his car into the Wye Valley School that he attends for his friends and teachers to get a glimpse of what life in the fast lane is all about.
“That will have given a lot of the kids hope that they can aspire to more than just normal, run-of-the-mill professions that perhaps don’t inspire them,” remarked Miss Ahmed. “It helps them to see that there’s a little bit more excitement out there, and that with a little ambition and determination and a lot of hard work goals can be achieved.
“He is a great role model for his peers, especially with all that is happening at the moment and some kids losing their way. Everything you hear about teenagers is doom and gloom, so when you come across the likes of Tom and Jay I just feel it’s a really refreshing change and all is not lost.
“After getting together with Jay, all of a sudden Tom falls into our lap too and we just can’t believe we’ve now got two young motorsport stars on our books! Tom is older than Jay – bordering the teenage/adult years – and we want to follow them both all the way through. I’m really looking forward to seeing him race!”
Due to take to the track around the celebrated Brands Hatch Indy Circuit this weekend to shift his fledgling car racing career into gear, Tom acknowledged that the Joe Bloggs sponsorship would be a great boost to his national recognition – and if he is suffering from any apprehension ahead of the big meeting, he hides it well.
“It’s really good,” he enthused. “Getting such a big name behind us is going to be great for my career hopefully. It will help to push my name forwards, and in those terms it’s the biggest sponsorship we’ve had so far. It means a lot that they wanted to put their weight behind me.
“The first driver they ever sponsored was Lewis Hamilton, so it’s obviously good to get the same sponsor as him. I like their clothes too, and they’ve told me to go onto their website and basically order as much stuff as I want!
“I’m not going into Brands Hatch with any expectations, because I’m only just starting out and I’m still getting used to everything. I would be over-the-moon if we managed to finish inside the top ten; to get a result like that in my first race with 22 cars on the grid would be really, really good.
“Ginettas are a new challenge, and I don’t want to put any pressure on myself to do well. Obviously I would like to do well, but it’s definitely going to be a learning year. I certainly don’t expect to be up at the front straightaway.
“Halfway through the season I think we might be able to get a bit closer to the front, and I will certainly put everything I have into it and be trying my best. I want to get at least a podium by the end of the year, and I think with a bit more testing and set-up and track time under my belt that’s definitely possible. I’m nervous about what lies ahead, but excited too.”
To keep up-to-date with Tom’s latest career news and results, please visit: http://www.tom-ingram.com |
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