Ash Sutton reigns supreme in second Thruxton bout

Ash Sutton extended his lead at the top of the British Touring Car Championship standings after charging to victory in the second race of the day at Thruxton.

Starting from second on the grid, the Alliance Racing driver took advantage of a small mistake from pole sitter Josh Cook exiting Church on the opening lap to cruise to his sixth win of the campaign.

While Sutton ran largely untroubled at the head of the field, the four-time champion is currently under investigation with officials in relation to his start.

Behind the Ford Focus Titanium driver, reigning champion Tom Ingram had produced a mighty drive to finish second on the road – however this a ten-second time penalty for exceeding track limits demoted him down the order.

Ingram had fought tooth and nail to battle past both Dan Rowbottom and Josh Cook over the course of the 16-lap contest, but his hard work was ultimately undone as he was penalised heading onto the final lap.

His demise meant that Cook, who had survived a sideways moment at the chicane after contact with Ingram, was promoted up to second while Dan Cammish completed the podium in third.

After scoring the first-ever podium for Plato Racing earlier in the day, Rowbottom continued his fine run of form by taking the chequered flag in fourth. Ingram meanwhile slotted into fifth once his penalty was applied.

Restart Racing’s James Dorlin delivered a stellar drive in his Hyundai i30 to firstly dispatch Independent rival Mikey Doble, and then the second Plato Racing Mercedes of Adam Morgan.

Completing the top ten behind the aforementioned Morgan and Doble was the MB Motorsport Toyota’s of Aron Taylor-Smith and Gordon Shedden.

The third and final race of the day aT Thruxton is scheduled to get underway at 17:30.