Ash Sutton is optimistic of converting his second career pole position into a strong result during the penultimate British Touring Car Championship meeting of the season at Silverstone tomorrow.
Sutton set the pace around the 1.64 mile circuit before an off-track excursion for Mark Howard brought out the red flags. Poorer conditions following the restart ensured none of Sutton’s closest challengers could improve their times and handed the Jack Sears Trophy leader a second career pole.
Tom Ingram continued his strong qualifying form to take second, with Sutton’s MG team-mate Josh Cook completing the top three.
Sutton admitted following the session the result had come as a surprise, and also felt that more pressure now rests on his shoulders compared with his pole at Donington Park in April.
“We came here with no expectations and we got pole!” admitted a delighted Sutton.
“The pole at the start of the year was fantastic but it came by surprise in the conditions,”
“I suppose I have more pressure on me now and we really had to work for it.”
He also paid tribute to team-mate Cook for his qualifying efforts, and is hopeful the duo can continue their strong partnership this campaign in tomorrow’s hat-trick of contests.
“To have Josh (Cook) up there is great. A front row lockout would have been better but it’s good to have him there and hopefully we can link arms and work together.”
Reflecting on the session, Sutton feels that, even if the conditions on circuit had enabled his closest challengers to improve on their efforts, he had more pace in the MG to utilize if necessary.
“Our rivals went back out but most of them got caught in traffic after the red flag. We had another run in our pockets if we needed to go and do it. I’m feeling good for tomorrow and im optimistic we can do well in all conditions.”