Ashley Sutton scored his tenth podium of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season this past weekend (June 22/23) on what proved to be a largely frustrating visit to Oulton Park.
Bringing the curtain down on the first half of the 2024 campaign at the Cheshire venue, the NAPA Racing UK driver scored an impressive second place finish in the opening contest before bodywork damage cruelly ruled him out of contention in the remaining two races.
Not for the first time this season, the reigning champion emerged as one of the standout performers during Saturday’s qualifying session as he hauled his Ford Focus ST onto the outside of front row for race one despite having minimal hybrid deployment available.
Sutton began race day in feisty fashion as he clinched a hard-fought podium finish after going wheel-to-wheel with championship rival Tom Ingram in the opening exchanges.
The pair slightly touched on a number of occasions as they tussled for top spot but when Ingram straight-lined the chicane after a nudge, things soon settled down and Sutton shadowed the Hyundai driver all the way to the finish.
Race two unfortunately proved to be one to forget for the front-wheel-drive ace as flailing bodywork – caused by rear contact – saw him shown the black and orange technical flag which forced him into the pit lane.
Despite dropping a position to the fast-starting Josh Cook on the opening lap, Sutton had been on course for a second successive podium finish before officials deemed his rear bumper needed to be tended too; plummeting him to 16th at the chequered flag.
Lining up towards the back of the grid on the soft tyre for the final race of the day, Sutton underlined his credentials as a four-time champion by fighting his way up towards the lead pack before more misfortune struck.
Minor contact with a tyre stack during his charge caused a portion of the front right wheel arch to eventually puncture his tyre, which brought him back into the pit lane and ending his chances of a good result.
Heading into the BTCC’s annual summer break Sutton sits third in the Drivers’ Championship, 24 points off the standings summit.
Ashley Sutton: “I think it’s fair to say that we’ve experienced the highs and lows of the BTCC this weekend; and it’s also clear that me and Oulton Park just don’t seem to get on at all!
“To qualify on the front row given the hybrid we had and then claim a podium in race one was mega. Tom left the door open a little bit so I stuck my nose in and had a go but once the move was gone I just settled into a groove and brought it home.
“It’s frustrating that bodywork damage cost in races two and three but the luck just wasn’t on our side it seemed. To be fair, I did try to knock it off in the second race but the thing just wasn’t budging.
“Obviously the results this weekend has meant we’ve lost ground in the championship battle so we’ve got work to do in the second half of the season to make up a deficit of 24 points.
“Up until now we’ve been trying to go about winning the title in a different way, a more concise and consistent way. Heading to Croft though I think the gloves have to now come off and the old Ash on maximum attack will be coming out!”
The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship returns to action on July 27/28 when the series makes its annual trip to Croft Circuit for Rounds 16, 17 & 18.
