Adrian Flux Subaru Racing’s Ash Sutton believes he is “overachieving what the car is capable of” after securing two podiums out of two British Touring Car Championship races at Donington Park.
The 2017 BTCC champion started third in race one, jumping former team-mate Josh Cook for second and holding station to the flag, but was ultimately unable to challenge race winner Colin Turkington.
Sutton then initially slipped to second in race two before fighting back with a late lunge on Tom Oliphant at the Old Hairpin to regain second position before later losing out to Matt Neal.
He told TouringCars.Net that although he was pleased with the results, he feels a lack of straight-line speed is costing the BMR-run Subaru Levorg in wheel-to-wheel combat.
“We’re biting off more than we can chew at the minute. We’re overachieving what the car is capable of,” said Sutton.
“It’s not anything us as a team, driver and package can do, it’s completely out of our hands at the minute.
“It doesn’t seem to be getting any better and making my life any easier. It seems to be getting harder if anything.
“But I’m pleased with the results we’re collecting, but it’s all about to go very wrong for this next one!”
So far today [28 April], reigning champion Turkington has doubled up with two race victories, which Sutton described as a “Sunday drive” while he feels he is having to drive at the limit to keep up.
“He’s on a Sunday drive out there – I can tell you that – we’re sat here actually trying to drive the cars and he’s on a Sunday drive I guarantee,” Sutton said.
“I am surprised because they hadn’t had one wheel of testing and they’re winning races left, right and centre, and it’s all from one thing I think.”
With race three set to get underway at 17:15, Sutton is keen to continue his strong points haul with the “long game” in mind.
“We’ve just got to focus on our own programme and collecting points,” he said.
“That’s the main thing at the minute. We’re here to try to play that long game, so points is the key thing.”