Photo: PSP Images

Ash Sutton clinches fifth BTCC title in second Silverstone contest

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Ash Sutton has made history by becoming the first five-time champion in the British Touring Car Championship after clinching an unassailable lead in the standings at Silverstone.

Heading into the day’s second race at the Home of British Motor Racing needing to score just one point, the Alliance Racing driver produced a sublime drive to claim his ninth win of the season.

Starting from 12th on the grid with the soft tyre and a full allocation of TOCA Turbo Boost, Sutton was inside the top eight within a lap and soon set about picking his way forward.

Utilising the strengths of his Ford Focus Titanium around the 1.64-mile National circuit, Sutton dispatched race one winer Aiden Moffat on lap eight and then set off after race leader Daryl De Leon.

Catching the WSR BMW in no time at all, Sutton made late dive down the inside of De Leon and then streaked clear to triumph. For good measure, he also clinched the fastest lap of the race to smash home his dominance.

As Sutton roared to championship success, CPRL’s Adam Morgan fought his way top second place, narrowly ahead of WSR’s Charles Rainford.

De Leon would drop back in the closing stages but managed to secure fourth place ahead Dan Rowbottom in the second Mercedes. Dan Cammish completed the top six after producing a stunning drive from the back of the field.

Rounding out the top ten was Aron Taylor-Smith, current title holder Tom Ingram, race one winner Aiden Moffat and Josh Cook.