Ash Sutton hints that TCR Experience might hinder BTCC Drive

Ash Sutton hinted at his future in the BTCC last week, when during an interview, he admitted; “I’ve had a taste of TCR and that’s possibly what’s stopped us from securing a deal at the minute.”

There are three months until the British Touring Car Championship is back in full swing at Brands Hatch, but last week, a number of drivers from the series were out in force at the Autosport Show showing off their new vehicles for 2019.

As February dawns, BTCC currently boasts 20 seats filled with three of the five manufacturers already fully confirmed, but one driver who is still yet to show his face, is 2017 champion Ash Sutton.

During a live interview on the Kwik-Fit BTCC stage, Sutton along with fellow champions Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan as well as Tom Ingram, discussed the current state of BTCC and how it is now a destination championship for many of the new generation.

In the second part to his question, the interviewer asked; “[Surely] it’s a validation of the championship of how good it is and what coverage it gets, that you guys are seeing this as a destination and its a game you want to be part of.”

Sutton responded, saying; “Definitely. Obviously I’ve had a taste of TCR and that’s possibly what’s stopped us from securing a deal at the minute.”

“Andrew touched on it briefly in another interview that you can make it work commercially and that’s the thing with BTCC; Yeah we’re here enjoying it as a Touring Car driver but we can all make a living from it. It’s not the easiest, there aren’t free drives out there, so you need to get your brands in. Andrew’s obviously connected with Pirtek, I’ve had Adrian Flux involved.”

After a brief joke suggesting Pirtek had carried Jordan, to which all drivers laughed, Sutton concluded his segment saying;

“It shows you can make it work, when you’ve got something ticking well it’s very hard to let go of that, or you’re [sic] jumping through hoops.”

Sutton is one of the most high profile names not confirmed for 2019 and last year made a guest appearance in the new TCR UK Championship at Oulton Park as well as a podium in his one-off TCR Europe round.

He spent last season racing for the Adrian Flux Suburu Racing team, picking up six victories and two further second places on his way to fourth in the championship after winning the series in 2017.

Should the 25 year old not secure a drive, it will be one of the largest surprises of 2019.