Ash Sutton extended his Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship points advantage with a commanding qualifying performance at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Saturday). The NAPA Racing UK driver scooped a bonus point for qualifying fastest and will start from pole position with a 46-point advantage over title challenger Tom Ingram for the first of three races at the Kent circuit tomorrow.
Sutton has been in impressive form all year and he scooped his sixth pole position by lapping the famous Grand Prix circuit in 1m29.823s in good conditions. This was enough to ensure he was the only driver to dip below the 1m30s mark, over two tenths of his nearest rival Rory Butcher.
Toyota Gazoo Racing pilot Butcher provided a spirited challenge early in the session, but it was Sutton who led the way ahead of a mid-session red flag following an off for George Gamble. As the competitive action resumed however, it was Sutton who held a clear advantage, extending his margin over the chasing pack to edge closer to what could be a record-equalling fourth BTCC crown.
Butcher’s best effort was good enough to secure a front row berth, however and his works Toyota will start alongside Sutton tomorrow.
Sutton’s only remaining title rival, reigning champion Tom Ingram, now faces an even greater challenge, as he needs to reduce the gap to less than 44 points after the first race to maintain any hope of retaining the crown. It’s a big ask, but Ingram placed his Hyundai third after a strong position and he’s well placed to make the most of any opportunities out on track tomorrow.
Sutton’s teammate Daniel Rowbottom ran strongly throughout the 30-minute session to take fourth place, whilst the top-five was completed by Bobby Thompson who has been impressive throughout the day in one of the Team HARD prepared Cupra Leons.
Dan Cammish will start sixth, whilst Colin Turkington led the strong BMW contingent in seventh, with Jake Hill eighth. Mikey Doble and Adam Morgan completed the top-ten.
Three BTCC races will headline the final day of the season on Sunday, with plenty of entertainment expected even in if the championship is sealed early in the day. Titles are up for grabs on the support bill too with a full day’s racing scheduled.
Sunday tickets will be available on the gate for £38 with reductions for 13-15-year-olds and free entry for under-13s.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Brands Hatch, Qualifying
- Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, 1m29.823s
- Rory Butcher, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +0.253s
- Tom Ingram, BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8, Hyundai i30N, +0.307s
- Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.326s
- Bobby Thompson, Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown, Cupra Leon, +0.330s
- Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.365s
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.368s
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.498s
- Mikey Doble, CarStore Power Maxed Racing, Vauxhall Astra, +0.510s
- Adam Morgan, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.525s
Click here for full results from this race event.
This weekend's BTCC finale is supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association and you can find out more about that here. You can also click here to view special items available to bid for in a silent online auction.