Ashley Sutton said that the ‘rhythm’ he has found in the Team BMR Subaru Levorg GT has been key to his own success after clinching two more Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship victories at Snetterton.
Sutton overhauled the Eurotech Racing Honda Civic of pole-sitter Jack Goff in the opening race at the Norfolk circuit, before a fourth success swiftly followed from the front in race two – the most wins of any driver in 2017.
A race three incident with the Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis of Rob Austin ultimately ended the weekend on a low note for last year’s Jack Sears Trophy winner, but Sutton was confident Team BMR can continue their strong form when the series visits Knockhill on 12/13 August.
“Overall, Snetterton has been a positive weekend”, said Sutton. “We came into the weekend with a gap of 20 points to the championship leader and now we leave only 11 points behind, plus we are still fourth in the standings despite the race three antics.
On Form: Sutton claimed a Norfolk double (Photo: BTCC Media)
“Unfortunately the car took a huge hit after being a victim of an incident from behind. It is going to be a real push to get it ready for Knockhill but I have no doubt in the guys at Team BMR and WP Motorsport to making sure she is as good as new and ready fo Scotland!”
Despite carrying the maximum 75kg success ballast in race two, the BMR driver said that development since the opening meeting at Brands Hatch back in April has made him able to combat the added burden.
“We keep on making progress with the Adrian Flux Subaru Levorg and that really showed in race two, especially whilst carrying full success ballast. The tweaks have brought the car alive and it was dialed in perfectly”, he said, having also tested team-mate Jason Plato’s car prior to the Norfolk visit.
“Racking up two more wins to my name as well as being the first driver this season to win back-to-back with full success ballast was another great achievement.”
Sutton sits just 11 points adrift of reigning champion Gordon Shedden with four meetings still to run, and added that the rhythm he has found with the Levorg is now at a personal high.
“We’re in a real rhythm at the minute and I’m really enjoying it. The car is phenomenal. We made some changes between races one and two and if anything, we made the car even better. Considering where we were at the end of the opening race weekend back in April I’ll take where we are at this stage.
“It’s just about being consistent now as it’ll only get harder from here on in.”
