Strike one for Sutton at Silverstone

Ash Sutton will hope to add his name to the BTCC history books this weekend as the series heads for Silverstone for the penultimate meeting of the 2023 season – although there are plenty trying to stop the NAPA Racing UK driver in his tracks.

Sutton holds a lead of 42 points going into the weekend ahead of defending champion Tom Ingram, and will provisionally secure the title for a record-equalling fourth time if he is able to extend that advantage out to 67 points.

That is the magic number that would put him out of reach going into the Brands Hatch season finale as even though Ingram could bag a 67 point maximum on the final weekend, he would be unable to overhaul Sutton’s superior win record.

The Ford driver scored a ninth win of the year last time out at Donington Park but despite now having 36 career victories to his name, has never made it onto the top step at Silverstone – although he was excluded having crossed the line first back in 2016 with MG.

In fact, Sutton has fewer podium finishes at Silverstone than anywhere else – with just three top three results through the years.

Ingram by contrast has more wins at Silverstone than anyone else currently on the grid, with the BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8 man chasing his seventh win at the famous Northamptonshire circuit.

Buoyed by the pace he showed at Donington, the defending champion heads into the weekend optimistic about his chances.

“We came away from Donington Park in good shape and we were quicker than Ash for a lot of the weekend, which bodes well for us going to Silverstone,” he said.

“There is no hiding the fact that Ash has got a handy lead in the standings, and the pressure is on him across the final two meetings. We’ve got nothing to lose and I’ve been around long enough to know that it only needs one race for the whole title race to be blown wide open.

“With that in mind, we’ve got to maximise everything and we’ll be going on the attack to try and grab pole and convert it into at least one win.”

Behind Ingram, Jake Hill sits in third at the wheel of his WSR-run Laser Tools Racing BMW having scored a double podium last time out – allowing him to remain in championship contention as he heads for a circuit where he was strong last year.

“I can’t wait to hit the track at Silverstone, we had some great success here last year with the victory, podium and lap record!,” he said. “We need to keep the momentum rolling into these last two rounds of the season and I’ll be giving it everything I have to be battling it out at the front of the field once more.

“The team have been working hard this season to really dial the car in with each passing round and my 330e M Sport has been feeling fantastic so I’m raring to go this weekend.”

Colin Turkington retains an outside chance of the title in fourth spot, with Dan Cammish and Josh Cook rounding out the top six.

Cammish will be hoping for better luck than he endured at Donington Park after his dramatic exit from qualifying ruled him out of race day whilst Cook will look to wrap up the Independents’ title for a second year in a row whilst also pushing for an outright win.

“I’m looking forward to getting to Silverstone and I’m optimistic that we should have a package that can run towards the front,” he said. “Donington Park was frustrating for the whole team but since then everyone has put in the work back at base to ensure we take another step forward.



“Silverstone on paper looks pretty simple because its just three straights and a few corners; but it is quite technical. You need a car that is good in a straight line and that can carry the speed through the slow bits – something that the Honda Civic Type R has always excelled at.



“We’re closing in on the Independent Drivers’ title for a second successive year – which is great – but for me I’m all about going for outright wins between now and the end of the season. If there is any opportunity that arises this weekend, I’ll be going all-out to take it!”

Outside the top six, a four-way battle rages to be best of the rest, with Ricky Collard, Dan Rowbottom, Adam Morgan and Rory Butcher covered by just 27 points.