Ash Sutton elated with debut pole in TCR UK

2017 BTCC drivers’ champion was ecstatic after scoring pole position on his TCR UK Touring Car Championship debut, after first getting into the Pyro Motorsport-run Honda Civic TCR less than 24 hours ago at Oulton Park.

Sutton, who’s set to replace Finlay Crocker in the Verizon Connect-backed car for the remainder of the season, set the fastest time on his first flying lap which was unchallenged by the field, allowing him to set a strategically slow second lap which helped secure him second place on the grid for Race 2.

“The car was mega,” said Sutton to TouringCarTimes. “Verizon Connect Racing and Team Pyro have delivered a great car, all we had to do was get in it and drive it.”

After two years in the BMR Subaru Levorg, it’s Sutton’s first time racing in a front-wheel drive car in top level motorsport since he raced the MG 6 in 2016.

“I’ve missed front-wheel drive a bit actually. It’s quite a nice feeling,” he added.

“Yesterday I was a little bit uncomfortable a bit in the car, as I turned up just five minutes before the last test session and couldn’t make any changes and just had to get in and drive it, but today we’ve been able to change the seat and I’m a bit more comfortable today.”