29 Apr Sutton launches BTCC title defence with Donington Park podium hat-trick
Ashley Sutton kicked off the defence of his Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship crown in fine style at Donington Park this past weekend (April 27/28) as the NAPA Racing UK driver charged to a hat-trick of podium finishes.
Beginning his pursuit of what could be a record-breaking fifth title in the UK’s premier motorsport series, the 30-year-old claimed two second place finishes and a third to end the opening meeting sitting second in the standings, nine points shy of rival Tom Ingram.
Having put pen-to-paper on a new multi-year deal with NAPA Racing UK in the off-season — which keeps him with the team until at least the end of the 2026 campaign – Sutton wasted no time in laying down his marker to the rest of the grid on Saturday in his refined Ford Focus ST.
After fettling his front-wheel-drive machine across the two practice sessions, the BRDC Member produced a superlative display in qualifying, which was being run for the first time under the new ‘Quick Six’ format.
Comfortably progressing out of Q1 and Q2, Sutton traded fastest times with Ingram in a captivating battle for pole position. Admitting that he left a small amount of time on his best lap on the table, he ultimately missed out on top spot by a mere 0.051 seconds.
Sutton opened his podium account for the new season in measured fashion in race one as he shadowed Ingram to the chequered flag in damp conditions after fighting back against the fast-starting BMWs of Jake Hill and Colin Turkington early on.
The manufacturer-backed ace produced a carbon copy result in race two however the manner in which he achieved it was vastly different.
Again falling into the clutches of the BMWs off the line, Sutton maintained third place but was soon began launching a number of attacks on Ingram, all while trying to make sure that race leader Hill didn’t escape up the road.
As the contest moved into its final stages, Ingram managed to nip by Hill at the top of the Craner Curves and Sutton wasted no time in following him as he made a bold dive down the inside at the Old Hairpin, which netted him second place in the process.
Lining up in eighth for the reverse grid contest and with substantially less hybrid deployment than those ahead of him, Sutton arguably saved his best drive until last as he valiantly fought his way onto the final step of the podium.
Benefitting from the usual hustle and bustle of the opening lap, Sutton soon settled into a groove and after a number of stunning overtakes – one of which was on Hill at Redgate – the defending champion ended his day with a charge onto the rear bumper of Turkington to finish third.
Ashley Sutton: “To come away with three podiums is a really strong start to the season and a good base for us to build on heading into the coming rounds. We had to wait a little while to get things up and running but when we did the racing was fantastic, I really enjoyed myself out there!
“The ‘Quick Six’ qualifying was awesome for everyone and having that extra hybrid deployment certainly had an impact on the racing. In race one I had to claw my way back past the BMWs and I didn’t think we quite got the tyre pressures right, which hampered us ever so slightly.
“Race two was another strong drive as we had a great battle with Tom and then when he made the move on Jake I knew I had to follow immediately so I just sent it down the inside at the Old Hairpin.
“To end the day on the podium – given where we started and with the hybrid laps we had – was a bit of a surprise but it’s a testament to all of the hard work that everyone at NAPA Racing UK and Alliance Racing has put in over the winter. The car felt absolutely phenomenal!
“It’s clear that everyone has upped their game and that we’re in for a really exciting season. We’ve learnt a lot this weekend so we’ll get our heads down between now and Brands Hatch to see what more we can unlock from the car.”
The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship next heads to Brands Hatch for Rounds 4, 5 & 6 of the 2024 season on May 11/12.
