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Ash Sutton holds off Tom Ingram to win BTCC curtain-raiser

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Ash Sutton produced a wheel-perfect drive in the opening race of the British Touring Car Championship season at Donington Park as he held off a charging Tom Ingram to claim victory.

Starting from second on the soft tyre, the four-time champion passed team-mate Dan Cammish at the exit of Redgate and soon set off into the distance, however he soon needed to begin preserving his Goodyear rubber.

Initially fending off the advances of Cammish, the latter would be one of several drivers that suffered a front left puncture which dropped him down the order.

Cammish’s demise allowed Ingram to launch an attack on Sutton although try as he might, the Hyundai driver was unable to find a way past the Alliance Racing ace.

Dan Rowbottom enjoyed a relatively trouble-free drive to finish third whilst reigning champion Jake Hill – who has been struggling with his BMW throughout the weekend – dug deep to progress up to fourth place.

Tom Chilton gained ground to finish fifth however his race wasn’t without its dramas as he clashed with Josh Cook at the final chicane, sending the Honda driver clattering into the tyre stack.

Cook would be able to continue however with a hobbled car, he was unable to hold off Mikey Doble, who claimed Independent honours.

Virtue of a mid-race safety car, Cammish was able to recover from a trip to the pit lane to finish eighth. Aiden Moffat and Chris Smiley then completed the top ten.

Among those in strife, Gordon Shedden finished a lowly 19th while the trio of James Dorlin, Aron Taylor-Smith and Adam Morgan failed to finish.

Race 2 at Donington Park is scheduled to get underway at 14:25.