Ash Sutton comfortably won his second Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship of the day at Snetterton this afternoon. By securing victory, the NAPA Racing UK driver became the first driver to win four BTCC races in a row since Alain Menu in 1997.
Sutton picked up where he left off in race one immediately by launching cleanly from the line in his Ford Focus ST to lead from the chasing BMWs of Jake Hill, Colin Turkington and Adam Morgan. By the end of the first lap, Sutton's lead extended to over two seconds. It was doubled not long after that and the three-time champion never looked back as he seized control of the championship fight.
Whilst Sutton streaked away at the front, Jake Hill and Colin Turkington's BMW 330e M Sports held station in second and third. Neither was able to make any series dent into Sutton's advantage around the 2.97 mile 300 circuit, as they ran home second and third, just as they did in the earlier race.
Adam Morgan initially ran close behind Turkington in another Team BMW machine but by lap four he was under strong pressure from Daniel Rowbottom who made a pass to break into fourth place. Like those ahead these two remained in position until the end of the 12-lap race, whilst Stephen Jelley's run to sixth ensured that Fords and BMWs locked out the top-six.
Tom Ingram ultimately finished seventh after dropping down the order on hard tyres, keeping his Hyundai ahead of the works Toyota Corolla of Rory Butcher. Sam Osborne came out on top of a drag race to the line to hold off Dan Lloyd who completed the top-10.
At the end of the race, Sutton took part in the reverse-grid draw to help set the starting order for the final race of the day which is due to start at 17:15. Sutton drew sixth, ensuring that Jelley will start from pole position.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Snetterton, Race 1
- Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport
- Daniel Rowbottom, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST
- Adam Morgan, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport
- Stephen Jelley, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport
- Tom Ingram, Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8, Hyundai i30N
- Rory Butcher, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport
- Sam Osborne, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST
- Daniel Lloyd, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils, Cupra Leon
Click here for full timings from this weekend's event.