Photo: PSP Images

Ashley Sutton relegated to the back of the grid for Silverstone finale

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Team BMR’s Ashley Sutton has been relegated to the back of the grid for the final British Touring Car Championship race of the day at Silverstone in a dramatic turn of events in the title battle.

Sutton passed West Surrey Racing’s Colin Turkington in a forceful move at Luffield on the final lap of the second race, which sparked a post-race protest from the Northern Irishman’s team.

The protest was upheld, meaning a third strike of the year for Sutton; an automatic relegation to the rear of the field for the next race and a three-point penalty in the championship standings.

The positions in race two have also been reversed, meaning Turkington is reinstated in third ahead of Sutton in fourth.

Team BMR have immediately appealed the penalty and their case will be reviewed by the stewards before the final race.

The gap between Sutton and Turkington at the top of the standings is now five points.