Ash Sutton: “My Main Target is Beating the BMWs”

Aiden Moffat and Ash Sutton have revealed their Infiniti Q50 for 2020’s BTCC campaign at Autosport International.

Sutton becomes Moffat’s first BTCC teammate, and the pair start the Infiniti’s full inaugural season at Donington Park in late March.

The unveiling comes after Sutton’s high-profile switch from Team BMR to Laser Tools Racing, having spent three years in a Subaru and, notably, winning the title in 2017.

Ash has been at the top-end of the BTCC standings for the past three seasons, despite racing behind the wheel of a very tricky Subaru Levorg. Speaking to Motorsport Radio, Sutton said:

“The Subaru had its teething problems, shall we say. It was one of those that was always hard to get back to the front of the grid. Jumping into something that is a little more aerodynamically correct… I’m sat here just piecing together this package and trying to get that title again.”

Not only will Ash be driving a new car in 2020, but he will also have a new teammate in Scot Aiden Moffat.

“Aiden and I have been friends for many years now, we’ve been on holiday, we’ve had our elbows out on track together for different teams, and now we’re teammates. It’s now time to knuckle down and put our heads together to push forward.”

Looking forward to taming a faster machine in the straights, Sutton will be targeting a second Drivers’ Championship. However, he will not be short of competition for the title.

“I’ll be honest with you – my main target is beating the BMWs. They’re running the same sort of package as we are, and Colin has won it back-to-back now, so let’s beat him.”

On a different note, 2020’s season will see two races at Silverstone, one being the International variation. This circuit has not yet been navigated by the BTCC.

“It’s a good step. It’s nice to see a new circuit on the calendar and it might throw in a little curve ball. On the positive side, it gets rid of another Thruxton! Not one of my favourites.”

Aiden Moffat also gave a few comments on his upcoming season. However, unlike Ash, Moffat has had 15 races’ worth of experience in the Infiniti during 2019.

“The car last year had a few issues – the car has been with us since 2014, and it has had a lot of potential ever since it was brand new. Shells of the Q50 are still being made in 2020, so we will have two new cars. With everything we’ve learnt, the car is more than capable enough to do well.”

Aiden has been without a teammate in his BTCC career, but all will change come the first round at Donington.

“We have been speaking to Ash and his team for a while now and we’ve always been close so it’s been a mutual decision. It’s something we’ve wanted and we have made it happen. For me its fantastic as he can help me somewhat – we will work together to help us progress. With these two cars we could be on to something special here.”

The competitiveness is most definitely within the Laser Tools Team for a strong and successful 2020, but time will tell on this ambitious duo.