Ash Sutton ready for race day charge after front left puncture

Ash Sutton has his sights set on playing the long game at Snetterton on Sunday after failing to the finish the British Touring Car Championship Qualifying Race at the Norfolk circuit.

Starting from eighth on the grid, the Alliance Racing driver enjoyed another sublime opening lap as he carved his way up to third, only to see his progress come undone.

On lap three, the four-time champion suffered a front left puncture, which in-turn forced him across the grass at the final corner and into the pit lane.

“That wasn’t in the plan,” said Sutton. “Someone dragged a load of rubbish onto the circuit at turn seven and I ran over it. As soon as I went over it I heard the tyre go and knew we need to pit.

“Obviously the trip across the grass wasn’t ideal and it caused a slight engine issue. Thankfully the team did a mega job to fix it and we managed to check everything was ok by going back out on the final lap.”

Looking ahead to race day, he added: “To be starting at the back of the grid with the deployment we have is going to be difficult so we have to play the long game.

“We need to box clever when it comes to moving forward because the boost is so powerful around here. We’ll get the elbows out and push as far forward as possible in race one, then we can go from there.”