Ashley Sutton crowned BTCC champion
Adrian Flux Subaru Racing's Ashley Sutton has won the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after a dramatic day of racing at Brands Hatch.
Colin Turkington's sensational race two win left Sutton with just a six point advantage going into the season finale and a nail biting climax seemed set to grip the legendary Kent circuit.
The action had already commenced in tumultuous fashion when pole-sitter Jack Goff spun away his advantage in the opening race amidst greasy conditions.
Having the unenviable task of being the first driver to run on the damp surface through one of motorsport’s most daunting corners – Paddock Hill Bend – Goff lost control of his Eurotech Racing Honda and ended up in the barrier.
Aiden Moffat – the BTCC’s youngest ever driver – went on to produce a mature defensive masterclass to win the race, with Tom Ingram and Sutton finishing second and third respectively.
Race two will live long in the memory as Team BMW’s Turkington kept his title chances alive with a sensational victory.
The double BTCC champion surged from 15th on the grid – making incredible pass after pass – to eventually muscle his way by long-time leader Moffat to clinch an emotional win.
Turkington also had to get past title rival Sutton during a quite sublime performance, leaving the title race tantalisingly poised going into the 30th and final round.
A pre-race rain shower ahead of the showdown saw the vast majority of the field switching to Dunlop BluResponse wet tyres on the grid – further adding to the tension – with Turkington and Sutton among those leaving it late to make the change.
Turkington made a clean getaway from tenth on the grid with Sutton following his title rival just behind. The duo made their way through the order in the early running, but disaster struck Team BMW's Turkington just as he looked to have broken away from his main competitor.
Ingram's Toyota touched the Ford of Mat Jackson through Graham Hill Bend on lap two, forcing the latter wide on the exit of the turn. As Jackson's Team Shredded Wheat Racing with Duo car returned to the track there was unfortunate contact made with the oncoming 1-Series of Turkington.
It was immediately clear that the rear-right upright on Turkington's car had broken and his title dream was over.
Sutton nipped through into fourth, although his advances were merely academic as Turkington's inevitable retirement meant the young Subaru star had already secured a fantastic maiden BTCC title, also becoming the youngest champion in the modern era.
The race win went to Handy Motorsport's Rob Austin – the third of his BTCC career – as he pulled clear of the chasing pack in fine style.
As rain continued to descend on the famous Grand Prix circuit and Jack Goff claimed a hard-earned second place, which was just reward for the pace shown by the Eurotech Racing driver over the course of the weekend.
The loudest cheer, however, went to Sutton as he completed the podium positions after a pass by pole-sitter Michael Epps.
Sutton's season statistics of six race wins and a total of 14 podiums are testament to the speed and brilliance shown by the 23-year-old, and the huge crowd rose as one to welcome home the new BTCC champion.
Ingram eventually finished fourth as he took Independent Drivers' honours, whilst also securing the Independent Teams' title for his Speedworks Motorsport squad.
Furthermore, Ingram claimed third in the overall standings after seeing off the challenge from reigning champion Gordon Shedden.
Whilst facing initial disappointment for missing out on the overall Drivers' crown there was still huge joy for Team BMW as it took both the Manufacturers' and Teams' championships.
Power Maxed Racing’s Senna Proctor enjoyed another hugely competitive day as he finished his rookie campaign by lifting the coveted Jack Sears Trophy.
With the final curtain falling on another incredible Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, we will be back once again when the 2018 season gets underway here in Kent at Brands Hatch on 7/8 April.