Ashley Sutton returned to the summit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship mountain at Brands Hatch this past weekend (November 14/15) as the Laser Tools Racing driver was crowned champion for the second time in his career.
Heading into the season finale sitting second in the standings and needing to overturn a nine-point deficit to Colin Turkington, the Infiniti Q50 driver produced a superlative final day performance to become a two-time champion by 14 points.
In addition to clinching the biggest prize in UK motorsport, Sutton also wrapped up the BTCC Independent Driversā Championship and helped guide Laser Tools Racing to a maiden BTCC Independent Teamsā Championship title as well.
Bringing the curtain down on a dramatic season of tin top thrills and spills at the Kent venue, treacherous weather conditions played their part across both days – adding to the nail-biting spectacle.
Sutton kicked off his weekend in style during qualifying as he powered his way to third whilst Turkington could only manage eighth. Pole position though would go the way of Toyota Gazoo Racing with Ginstersā Tom Ingram after a late surge to the top of the times in the session.
Halfords Yuasa Racingās Dan Cammish produced one of the best drives of his BTCC career to-date in the opening contest on Sunday, moving from fourth on the grid in the extreme wet to chalk up his fourth win of the season.
Making his way to the front with a number of daring moves, Cammish never looked back once out front whilst Sutton took control of the standings as he followed the Honda man home, with Ingram third and Turkington splashing his way to ninth.
Sutton edged closer in his quest to be crowned champion in race two as he stormed to victory in a pulsating wet-dry penultimate race of the season. Opting to run slick tyres and starting second, the 2017 champion held position during the early stages whilst those on wets came to the fore.
A handful of laps later however, the slick-shod cars were in the ascendancy and rear-wheel-drive wasted no time in moving into the lead. Once out front, he powered his way to a commanding fifth win of the season whilst Ingram, Cammish and Turkington followed.
Three drivers – Sutton, Turkington and Cammish – went into the final bout of the year still in contention for the crown but as conditions deteriorated once again, nothing would stop Sutton earning a deserving second title.
Passing Turkington in the latter stages, the five-time race winner cruised to fifth place as Rory Butcher dominated proceedings up front, claiming an impressive victory on Motorbase Performanceās home turf.
In the end it was Sutton that lifted the most coveted prize in UK motorsport for the second time in his still short career with Turkington, Cammish, Ingram and Butcher rounding out the top five in the standings.
Team BMW concluded its campaign by wrapping up the BTCC Teamsā Championship and BTCC Manufacturersā Championship titles. Michael Crees meanwhile was the victor of the Jack Sears Trophy, much to his delight.
To view the full classification of results from the final event of the 2020 season, click here.
The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will return in 2021, with the opening rounds scheduled to begin next April.