BTCC: Sutton takes back-to-back victories to end weekend strong

Ash Sutton ends the Donington Park race weekend strong with a second victory in a row.

Ricky Collard started from pole ahead of Dexter Patterson but both would come under significant pressure from the two BMW's on the second row. Collard would manage to maintain the lead while Patterson dropped to fourth as Charles Rainford led Daryl DeLeon. A spin further back for Lewis Selby would almost collect a few other drivers but everyone got away without any damage.

Sutton would try and make moves early making up four places before the end of lap one with only the two BMW's and Collard in front of him. Ingram would try and make some progress as well making up four places on the opening lap.

Rainford would move into the lead on lap two, passing Collard into the Old Hairpin. Collard tried to fight back on exit but the run from Rainford was enough to steer clear for the time being. Meanwhile, Sutton would get into the final podium place passing DeLeon.

Rainford's lead would not last long as an excellent feint move from Collard to the outside would quickly turn to a dive down the inside into Redgate fording Rainford to adjust lines and lose out on positioning. Sutton would try and take advantage of the situation looking to the inside of the BMW but the Hyundai was in the way in front of him as Rainford pulled back alongside before a minor bit of contact and Collard finally completing the overtake for the lead.

Sutton would try and get second into McLeans but had to give way after Rainford used the boost. He wouldn't be done fighting though as Patterson would also be on the boost and tried to pass into the chicane before contact lost Sutton momentum in trying to correct it. Sutton managed to defend into Redgate to keep third.

A battle between Ingram, DeLeon and Gordon Shedden would end in catastrophe for the BMW after contact from the Toyota sent him sideways and into the path of Josh Cook and Tom Chilton. Cook and Chilton would have to come into the pits with the damage sustained.

Rainford would continue to defend from Sutton but it was only a matter of time before Sutton would make his way passed into the final chicane after an excellent run out of Coppice. Dan Cammish and Aiden Moffat would follow Sutton through to move up to third and fourth. Rainford would continue to drop back, losing out to Patterson as well before having to fend off Morgan with the boost.

Ingram would push on through the field passing Morgan on lap seven before chasing after Rainford and passing him later in the lap to move into sixth.

Collard would be caught up by Sutton who gets a better on the exit of Redgate to take the lead. Collard would pile on the pressure for a few laps before Cammish started to make an attack on him as well.

Ingram would make his way into the top five on lap nine, passing Patterson for the position and started chasing after Moffat and the top three including setting the fastest lap. Moffat would make it difficult for Ingram but on lap twelve the Hyundai would make the overtake into Redgate. Despite a brief counter attack, Moffat could not regain the position.

Cammish would force Collard to defend into Redgate, with Cammish pulling passed on exit, but a great run and the use of boost out of the Old Hairpin would allow Collard to pull back alongside into McLeans and the run into Coppice. Ingram would join them, fighting hard into the chicane, but a better run and some boost on exit would give Ingram enough to pull alongside down the main straight, but Cammish defends to jump back into third on the exit if Redgate. Collard would place his car in the way of Cammish in defense at the Old Hairpin, and the boost on the exit for Ingram would be enough to get by on the run into McLeans.

Collard would try and defend against Ingram but a late braking maneuver from the reigning champion would give him second place. Cammish would continue to pressure Collard, using an error from the Hyundai to have enough momentum to pull passed on the main straight.

An almost race ending collision occurred further back with the two Laser Tools Toyota's and James Dorlin making contact and going onto the grass, but luckily everyone got away relatively unscaved.

Cammish would earn himself a 10 second time penalty for exceeding track limits which would lose him a ton of places.

Sutton would come home to take his second race win of the season ahead of Ingram and Collard who complete the podium. Moffat would finish fourth taking the Independents race win ahead of Rainford. Patterson would finish sixth on the road with a third in the Independents class and his third race win in a row in the Jack Sears Trophy kicking off an excellent start to the season. Chris Smiley would finish seventh ahead of Morgan and Sam Osborne. Cammish completes the top ten after his penalty for track limits.