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Ash Sutton ‘hitting the reset button’ before ‘plotting for 2020’

Ash Sutton says he will ‘hit the reset button’ after a frustrating season in the British Touring Car Championship this year, with the Subaru star rounding out the year with his first win of the season in race two at Brands Hatch.

Sutton endured a difficult year in 2019, with the Team BMR driver not standing on the top step of the podium until the second race at Brands Hatch.

The 25-year-old had qualified his Levorg GT in a strong second on Saturday, but he then had to start race two from 11th after he lost ground late on in race one after electing to stay out on dry tyres on an increasingly wet circuit.

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A strong start in the second race saw Sutton end the first lap in third and he then went on to pass both of the factory Hondas after a short safety car intervention, putting him in the lead.

Sutton then went unchallenged for a first win of the year, elevating him to ninth in the standings.

The top ten were reversed for race three, and despite having full success ballast on board, the Subaru driver fought his way up to third to claim just his second double-podium race weekend of the year.

A strong final weekend saw Sutton end the year in eighth in what is widely anticipated to be Subaru’s final year in the BTCC, with the Hertfordshire racer securing 13 of the marque’s 21 BTCC victories.

“It’s been a tough season, so it is fantastic to round out the year with a win and some more silverware,” said Sutton. “The team have worked tirelessly throughout so it is a great reward for them all. I was going into the finale wanting to win a race and that is exactly what we achieved!

“We knew we would be strong after qualifying but the weather didn’t help us in race one. In race two though the car was hooked up as soon as the lights went out; I was into third by lap one and then it was just about picking my moments to take the lead.

“Once I got out front it was relatively easy and I can dictate the pace, look after the tyres and bring it home. To finish third in the final race is the cherry on top and the perfect way to sign off 2019.

“It has been no secret that this year has been a frustrating one, but we’ve kept pushing and reaped the rewards.

“It felt great to be in the fight on Sunday! It will be nice to relax for a little while, hit the reset button and then I’ll begin plotting for next year.”

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