![Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK [Motorbase Performance], Ford Focus ST](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AshSuttonThruxton.jpg "Photo: Pat Cranham / PSP Images")
Ash Sutton is in a ‘confident’ mood heading into this weekend’s British Touring Car Championship races at Thruxton, with the reigning champion having worked on recent ‘balance issues’ with his car.
NAPA Racing’s Sutton missed out on a podium finish last time out at Brands Hatch, although he remains in the top three in the standings in third, having finished all three of the rain-affected races in the top ten.
Last year, Sutton won twice at Thruxton – once in each event staged at the Hampshire circuit – and he is confident that issues with his front-wheel drive Ford’s setup have been resolved for this weekend.
In the season-opening weekend at Donington Park, both Sutton and team-mate Dan Cammish had struggled for race pace, despite showing quick single-lap speed. At Brands Hatch, the situation was complicated by rain and changing track conditions.
“I’m looking forward to going to Thruxton this weekend, it’s always a mega track to race around,” said Sutton.
“Since Brands Hatch we’ve been working hard to see if we can progress the car forward and address the balance issues we’ve had – I’m confident we’ll get on top of it.”
The last time a Ford won at Thruxton was in 2016, but Sutton was the fastest driver in the official pre-season test at the high-speed circuit back in April, with a time which was over a tenth of a second faster than the BMW of Jake Hill.
“We had good pace at the season launch and the Focus seemed pretty hooked-up there, so I’d like to think we’ll be in the mix.
“Making in-roads on the top two and picking up some more silverware is the aim.”
Sutton is yet to score his first win of 2022, and sits 21 points behind championship leader Tom Ingram.