24 Aug Ashley Sutton masters the rain to clinch second win of the season at Oulton Park
Ashley Sutton produced a masterful wet weather performance at Oulton Park this past weekend (August 22/23) to claim his second win of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.
Having made a strong start to his campaign at Donington Park and Brands Hatch, the Laser Tools Racing driver continued his rich vein of form with another star display around the picturesque Cheshire venue.
Entering the third event of the season ladened with 54kgs of success ballast, the 2017 champion pushed his rear-wheel-drive machine to the limit in qualifying and ultimately finished what proved to be an ultra-competitive session in 11th.
Heavy rainfall prior to the opening encounter added to the spectacle on race day and the 26-year-old had to play the percentages as progressed to eighth, with a mud-filled radiator duct limiting his chances of moving further forward.
Race two would see Ashley take centre stage as he stormed to a 16th career BTCC victory. Showcasing his undeniable skill in the wet conditions, the BRDC Superstar scythed his way into fourth early on and then pulled off a pair of opportunistic overtakes to jump into second.
Closing down race leader Rory Butcher in little over a lap, Ashley made his move for the lead with an eye-catching piece of driving around the outside of Old Hall Corner. From there he never looked back and cantered to the chequered flag.
Starting the reverse grid race from tenth with maximum success ballast, Ashley made a lightening start and soon found himself in fourth and on the fringes of battling for the lead.
Unable to find a way past the battling trio ahead of him, a red flag in the latter stages brought the contest to a premature end – with Ashley bringing the curtain down on another successful weekend with a solid haul of points for fourth place.
Following the third event of the season, Sutton sits second in the BTCC Drivers’ Championship whilst extending his lead at the summit of the BTCC Independents Drivers’ Championship standings as well.
Ashley Sutton: “It’s been another mega weekend, everyone at Laser Tools Racing and BMR Engineering has done a fantastic job once again!
“Qualifying outside the top ten wasn’t ideal but we were able to make progress in race one despite having to nurse the car home. The car was on rails in race two though and I was able to put it wherever I wanted and I knew what we were capable of.
“I wanted to get the first few laps out of the way and once we were into fourth and more importantly in clear air, it was game on. I took my opportunities and once out front I was able to push on – I love those conditions.
“We’ve had a really strong start to the season and the aim is to continue this form heading into Knockhill. I love the circuit so I’m hopeful we can start closing that gap at the top of the standings.”
Rounds 10, 11 & 12 of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will see the series travel north of the border to Knockhill on August 29/30.
