Ingram pays tribute to fellow former ERC champion Elford

Ingram received words of support from Elford as he battled funding issues to win the 2019 FIA European Rally Championship, becoming the first Briton since Elford to do so.

Following Elford’s passing, Ingram said: “What an icon he was. To follow in his footsteps by winning the ERC was the greatest moment of my life so far. I’m gutted I never got the chance to meet him and speak about his experiences, but he will always inspire me and many other drivers. I am thinking of his family.”

Elford, a stalwart of the Porsche marque, was the ultimate motorsport all-rounder. He famously won the 1968 Daytona 24 Hours, one week after claiming victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo.

He took part in 13 Formula One world championship grands prix, raced in the Daytona 500 and was a regular in the Le Mans 24 Hours in addition to myriad long-distance sportscar races.

As well as his exploits in rallying and circuit racing, Elford showed his versatility by winning the first rallycross event in 1967.

Born in London in 1935, Elford made his last ERC appearance at the Ypres Rally in 1983 and retired to Florida.