Perfectly timed slicks switch helped Ash Sutton to pole

Triple Eight Racing’s Ash Sutton said a perfectly-timed switch to slick tyres was the key to securing a dramatic pole position in only his second British Touring Car Championship meeting at Donington Park.

The reigning Renault Clio Cup champion enjoyed an impressive debut at Brands Hatch a fortnight ago and continued that in some style today, setting a best time 1.11.729 seconds before red flags ended the session.

A red flag following an off for Andrew Jordan saw the clocks reset at five minutes ahead of a frantic late dash, and it was the 22-year-old who judged the conditions best despite having to pass two competitors on his best lap.

“It was all lastminute.com. We got our time in on the wets and I thought ‘the track’s drying, lets get on the slicks’. I believe we were one of the first in, which plays into your hands at the end of the session because you have more temperature in your tyres,” said Sutton to TouringCarTimes.

“It was all about getting some clean and pushing, even on the out lap. We did that time passing two cars, so there’s more in it.

“When the lights went green [after the red flag] we were flat out. We overtook three or four cars on the out lap and I think that was what gave us the jump.”

Sutton was also understandably delighted with how he has announced himself to the BTCC paddock, after a best finish of fourth in Kent a fortnight ago in his MG6 GT.

“I’m over the moon, it couldn’t be better. We were over the moon with Brands and the outcome there, but to go one better and get pole is great,” he said.

“We’ll keep working at it – racing is a different thing. I’m carrying a bit of ballast and Josh isn’t, so I think we’ve got to use our heads tomorrow in race one.”