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Sutton: Jack Sears Trophy win ‘unforgettable’


MG Racing RCIB Insurance man Ash Sutton rounded off a stellar maiden campaign in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in fine style with overall Jack Sears Trophy honours following last weekend’s Brands Hatch finale.

The MG racer came out of the blocks right on the pace in 2016, with pole at the season’s second event, at Donington Park, signalling his intent.

Come the end of the Croft weekend, Sutton had garnered a debut appearance on the steps of the rostrum and a first win following a thrilling race three from the North Yorkshire circuit, played out in tricky conditions.

The 2015 Renault UK Clio Cup champion spoke of his pleasure at a job well done in this year’s BTCC.

“Things couldn’t have gone better for me this season,” said Sutton. “Some bad luck struck us mid-season and knocked us down the standings for the overall Drivers’ title but I have achieved everything I came here to do.

“People kept asking me at the start, ‘are all these big names intimidating?’ and my honest answer was always no, they are just stickers on windows.

“I was not going to treat the BTCC any differently to any other championship I had been in.

“I set myself some goals just before Season Launch – those being to secure my first pole positon, get my first podium, followed by my first outright win and then the last and final one, the Jack Sears Trophy.

“Those goals at the time may have been a little strong but I am pleased that we have achieved every single one of them.”

Winning the trophy bearing the legendary name Jack Sears, in the year of the inaugural BTCC champion’s passing gave an extra gravitas to the achievement.

“Collecting silverware does show what you have achieved, but winning the Jack Sears Trophy on the year that ‘Gentleman Jack’ passed, with his son David presenting it to me made it an emotional experience as well as an unforgettable one.”

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