Ash Sutton continued his hot streak in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship by claiming a third successive pole position ahead of the Cheshire Mouldings Race Day on the Oulton Park Island circuit tomorrow (Sunday).
The three-time champion has been in exemplary form throughout 2023, winning half of the 12 races to have taken place prior to this session, and he duly carried that form into qualifying. Sutton topped the initial qualifying period to secure his place in the top-10 shootout before lapping the Island circuit more than two tenths of a second clear of his nearest rival to secure pole.
The NAPA Racing UK driver's Ford Focus ST will be joined on the front row of the grid by Jake Hill, who produced a strong lap in his Laser Tools branded BMW 330e M Sport. Hill wasn't quite able to match Sutton on one lap pace, but he'll be hoping that a combination of rear-wheel-drive and a slight TOCA hybrid advantage may help in in race one.
Ricky Collard completed the top three in qualifying following another strong showing in his Toyota Gazoo Racing UK machine. Another driver who'll be happy with his weekend so far is Bobby Thompson who followed up promising practice pace with fourth on the grid. Thompson topped the second practice session and featured towards the head of the order throughout the day.
Dan Cammish was fifth quickest in another of the NAPA Racing UK prepared Fords, once again falling just shy of matching Sutton.
Reigning champion Tom Ingram placed a little lower than might have been expected after practice, but sixth still represents a strong starting position for last year's title winner. Ingram has been Sutton's nearest challenger so far this campaign, and he'll be aiming to fight his way a bit further forward on Sunday.
Several other strong drivers will feature in the lower reached of the top-10 on the grid, with four-time champion Colin Turkington amongst those hoping for forward progress after qualifying. The Northern Irishman was seventh fastest in the top-10 shootout, just ahead of Josh Cook, Aron Taylor-Smith and Rory Butcher.
Three BTCC races will top the bill on Sunday, with the first due at 12.25. Tickets will be available on the gate with free entry for under-13s.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Qualifying, Oulton Park
- Ash Sutton, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, 1m24.832s
- Jake Hill, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.225s
- Ricky Collard, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +0.468s
- Bobby Thompson, Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils, Cupra Leon, +0.534s
- Dan Cammish, NAPA Racing UK, Ford Focus ST, +0.611s
- Tom Ingram, Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8, Hyundai i30 N, +0.633s
- Colin Turkington, Team BMW, BMW 330e M Sport, +0.643s
- Josh Cook, One Motorsport with Starline Racing, Honda Civic Type R, +0.655s
- Aron Taylor-Smith, CarStore Power Maxed Racing, Vauxhall Astra, +0.781s
- Rory Butcher, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK, Toyota Corolla GR Sport, +1.032s
Click here to view full race and session results from this weekend's event.