Photo: PSP Images

Ash Sutton hails historic title-winning season

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Ash Sutton was left overcome with emotion after officially being crowned champion of the British Touring Car Championship for a record-breaking fifth time at Brands Hatch.

The Alliance Racing driver made history this year as he reigned supreme in style to move clear of Colin Turkington and Andy Rouse and become the first-ever driver to win the BTCC on five separate occasions.

Sutton’s march to the landmark achievement was nothing short of impressive either, with the Ford Focus Titanium racer scoring nine wins and a further 12 podium finishes. Clinching the title with an event to spare, the 32-year-old ended the campaign an incredible 127 points clear of the field.

“The first time will always be special because its the first, but I think this one sits above them all just because it is history that we’ve made,” said Sutton after lifting the coveted title in front of a capacity Brands Hatch crowd.

“It’s been an incredible season. From my side of the garage we’ve maximised absolutely everything on race days, even when our Saturday’s didn’t go to plan. I can’t thank everyone at NAPA Racing UK enough, they’ve put in a huge amount of work to help bring this home.

“To have done it in the matter we have done is phenomenal. It’s very rare you have a year like this so we’re certainly going to celebrate appropriately. Bringing home the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles too is the cherry on top.”

While Sutton is revelling in what he has achieved this year, the five-time champion’s sights are already beginning to set on the future, having recently announced that he has signed a new five-year contract with the team.

He said: “Knowing that this is where I’ll be for the next few years is mega. I grew up as a fan watching touring cars and then raced with and against my heroes, now I’m standing here is a five-time champion.

“I’m certainly not done though. I want to see how far we can extend this record and also that total of 97 wins that Jason (Plato) has seems quite appealing – even if it is quite far away at the moment.”