Ash Sutton says he ‘knew’ he had the upper hand over Colin Turkington in the second British Touring Car Championship race at Knockhill, having clinched the win on the final lap of the race.
Sutton started the race from fourth on the grid and thus had to carry 48 kg of success ballast, compared to the 75 kg carried by race one winner Turkington.
Sutton immediately jumped up to third at the start, and the Laser Tools Racing driver was into second past Josh Cook two laps after the restart of the race, following six laps behind the safety car.
From there, Sutton closed in on Turkington and the two enjoyed a fierce scrap, although the Infiniti driver was unable to find a way past before the safety car was called again on what was then lap 22 of 25.
The race ultimately restarted with three racing laps left, and Sutton kept the pressure on Turkington to force the Team BMW driver into a mistake at the chicane on the final lap, allowing him through into the lead with just three corners to go.
“We had a tough task – obviously Colin has been mega all weekend,” said Sutton. “Pace-wise we knew we had the upper hand with him carrying full weight.
“Once we got into second it was a case of just knuckle down, fire in the qualifying laps, picking up the fastest lap bonus point, and then piling that pressure on.”
Sutton admitted that the safety car intervention could just as easily have cost him the chance to take the victory.
“You have to look at it two ways. We were in a bit of a rhythm, we were putting the pressure on. Then I was like ‘OK, let’s reset, let’s put a plan together’ and it was just a case of making him defend from the get-go.
“Once you’re looking in the mirrors, there’s only one way you’re going, unfortunately. He came off the kerb a little bit, it looked like it unsettled the car and we made the most of that opportunity.
“I love racing someone like Colin. When there’s that mutual respect, you leave each other room, you squeeze each other when it’s right to squeeze each other, and I don’t mind racing like that, that’s my style of racing.
“Fair play to Colin, he did a mega job, but this one’s for Laser Tools Racing and all the boys and girls back at the base.”
Turkington himself was still relieved to add to his earlier win with a second, acknowledging the huge pressure which Sutton had put him under.
“I knew it was close, but you live and learn,” said the Northern Irishman. “I was not struggling, but I could see Ash had better pace.
“My car was still very strong but with the 75 kg in now I just couldn’t drop him. I could see him coming and coming and then a few safety cars closed that gap on me.
“If I had maybe taken a bit less kerb I could have survived, but I was under big pressure and you’re trying to thread the needle through there.
“The past two weekends I would have killed for a P2, even a P6, so it’s great points. It’s disappointing obviously to lose the win, but it’s still good to be on the podium.”