Ash Sutton claimed his first victory of the 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship following an impressive driver under pressure from reigning champion Tom Ingram at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Sunday).
The three-time champion started the second race of the day on the Indy circuit from the outside of the front row in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus ST and drove decisively during the contest’s opening moments to set up the win. A good run through Paddock Hill bend enabled Sutton to pass race one winner and pole-sitter Colin Turkington as the field streamed up to Druids for the first time.
Behind that, reigning champion made an absolutely flying start from fifth in his Hyundai and took second from Turkington as they flicked through Surtees on the opening tour. Jake Hill was fourth as the first lap drew to a close but Dan Cammish produced a stellar run through Clark Curve to pinch te position as they crossed the line.
From there the race settled with Sutton and Ingram pulling away at the front from Turkington’s Team BMW machine. Ingram closed down on Sutton numerous times but he was never quite able to force an opening as the latter managed the pace at the front.
Behind that Hill began to close down on Cammish as the race reached its midway stages. The Laser Tools with MB Motorsport BMW ace eventually made the move stick at his come circuit with a strong run through Paddock Hill Bend setting up a pass into Druids on lap 15.
Right at the front however there were to be no more changes as Sutton maintained control, and managed his use of the TOCA Hybrid system perfectly. Ingram was forced to settle for second as the leading duo took the chequered flag with Turkington making his second visit of the day to the podium.
Hill retained fourth until the close with Cammish just behind but there was plenty of drama in the lower reaches of the top ten as the race entered its final stages. Rory Butcher eventually sealed sixth position in a closely fought midfield battle, but the positions just behind him weren’t settled until the very last corner on the 24th and final lap.
Toyota Gazoo Racing UK’s Butcher looked set to be followed across the line by his teammate Ricky Collard, but an attempt from Sam Osborne to make a pass cost both drivers time. This enabled Josh Cook’s Honda Civic Type R to sneak through to seventh on the run to the flag just ahead of Osborne with Collard eventually finishing tenth behind George Gamble in the third works Toyota.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Race 2, Brands Hatch
- Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST
- Tom Ingram, Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8, Hyundai i30N, +0.933s
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +3.405s
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, +6.859s
- Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +10.598s
- Rory Butcher, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +12.383s
- Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing, Honda Civic Type R, +13.912s
- Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +14.168s
- George Gamble, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +14.238s
- Ricky Collard, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +14.350s
Click here for full results from this weekend's event.