Triple Eight Race Engineering have announced their youthful 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship line-up, with Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton filling the team’s MG seats for the coming campaign.
Former Renault UK Clio Cup runner-up Cook and the one-make series’ current champion, Sutton, will take the wheel of the pair of MG6 GT machines for the coming campaign, the latter making his debut alongside Cook who switches from a Chevrolet Cruze.
Cook displayed several giant-killing performances during his rookie BTCC season, clinching the Jack Sears Trophy with Power Maxed Racing as the top newcomer in a season that saw him also reach the podium at Rockingham.
“I’m over the moon to be working with a team and manufacturer that has such heritage,” said Cook. “I have worked extremely hard since the end of last season to get back on the grid – it was the only place I wanted to be. I now have an important job to do to give back to the sponsors who have got me here. I’m 100 per cent focused and will be prepared in every aspect, starting with my mental approach and fitness.
“The introduction of the new RML components is bound to mix it up, and I’m coming straight off the back of a strong first season in the BTCC. I want to keep that momentum going and be competing for the top step from the first round.
“I have no doubt that the knowledge and experience at MG Triple Eight Racing will enable me to do that. This is an important step in my career, and I’m looking ahead to being a championship contender with MG and Triple Eight.”
Sutton came out on top in a thrilling Clio Cup scrap for the 2015 title at Brands Hatch GP circuit last October, and will now graduate to the BTCC for the coming season.
“It has been a dream of mine to compete in the BTCC from a very young age,” said Sutton.
“Over the past two years I have had some amazing support from my two main sponsors, GlobalForce Group and Select Fire as well as my manager, Warren Scott. I can happily say I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of their efforts as well as mine. I will continue working with Warren behind the scenes as we have a great relationship.
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of my MG6 – the car has proven what it is capable of over the years. I have every faith in Triple Eight Racing to deliver a race-winning car, so I will be putting in all my efforts to bring home some good results.
“This is going to be a big learning curve for me and with not much testing planned I have my work cut out for the year, but I feel I couldn’t be more ready for this challenge and I will grab it with both hands and give it my all. I can’t wait to get started and to get stuck in with the team – roll on round one!”
Triple Eight Racing Managing Director, Ian Harrison, said: “Both Josh and Ash are young chargers eager to build up their knowledge in this category. We know what they can do and hope to help them build their performance throughout the season with pace and consistency.”
