NAPA Racing UK’s Ash Sutton took his 30th career BTCC victory in the opening contest at Snetterton, as the three-time champ held off a late charge from Jake Hill’s Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW. The i30N was the quickest car on-track by mid-distance as Ingram set the fastest lap of the race, and he was soon back into fourth, with Ricky Collard (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK) also dropping out with a water pump problem. Unfortunately for the Kent driver, he simply ran out of time with the pair separated by just 0.270s as the chequered flag waved. Especially on the soft there, we had to be cautious. That is where the gap came from and ultimately that gap won us the race. Especially after my puncture during Race 3 at Brands Hatch, it’s nice to come to Snetterton and have a good start. Unfortunately that means the rears struggled to keep up a bit, so by midway through the race I was using the rear tyres pretty hard and dropping and dropping. 2023 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship – Race 1 – Snetterton (300).

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