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Ash Sutton fastest in opening practice at Thruxton

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Ash Sutton set the pace in an opening British Touring Car Championship practice session at Thruxton that saw light showers fall.

Leaving it late until the final moments of the session, the Alliance Racing driver punched in a number of quick laps to claim the early bragging rights around the high-speed Hampshire venue.

With intermittent rain falling throughout, the track was never wet enough for drivers to make the switch to the wet tyre compound however it was Sutton that made the best of the conditions.

Behind the four-time champion, Aiden Moffat and Jake Hill finished second and third in their West Surrey Racing BMWs while the Hyundai duo of Daniel Lloyd and Adam Morgan completed the top five.

Charles Rainford continued to showcase front-running speed in his BMW 330i M Sport by posting the sixth fastest time, with Dan Cammish finishing hot on his heels in seventh.

Completing the top ten around the 2.356-mile circuit was three-time champion and lead Toyota driver Gordon Shedden, Dan Rowbottom and the returning Senna Proctor – who is making his first appearance of the season with EXCELR8.

Free Practice 2 at Thruxton is scheduled to get underway at 12:00.