Defending champion Sutton 'happy with P5' qualifying run

Reigning British Touring Car champion Ash Sutton conceded Tom Ingram's pole position was out of reach but remains pleased with the progress his Motorbase NAPA Racing UK outfit are making with their Ford Focus at Oulton Park.

Sutton qualified fifth fastest for today's [Sunday] opening race after making late progress during the closing stages of qualifying.

The defending three-time champion made a crucial jump to fourth in the timesheets before setting a purple first sector on the following lap. However, a slight lock-up meant Sutton was unable to improve and fell down to fifth in the process.

Regardless of the lock-up, Sutton felt his quickest lap would have been difficult to replicate.

"That lap we did then, we just got the car in the right window," Sutton told Crash.net. "We did a mega lap and then went purple in sector one on the following lap and then locked up.

"You have to drive these so different to what I’ve been used to for the past few years. I’m happy. The boys have done a mega job. They’ve given me a great car.

"We went a tenth quicker in sector one. If you put a tenth on where I was, we were on for sort of third. It would have been very hard to replicate the lap. I’m happy with P5. Two spots further up would have been a bonus, but overall, it’s good.

"It’s been a bit of an odd day with times so up and down and then Tom [Ingram] to pull out a 25.4 when no one has ever got close to that today.

"When I got the call over the radio, I said ‘that’s not possible boys!’. It was clear and simple. I was pleased with a 7, there was a 6 in it but I can’t complain."

With the championship in mind, where Sutton currently sits in second, 23-points adrift from BTC Racing's Josh Cook, the Ford pilot is plotting to take advantage of Cook qualifying down in tenth position.

"We’ve got Josh [Cook] a bit further back. Tom is up front which is a bit of a pain because he’s going to score big points tomorrow! We’ve just got to keep our head down," Sutton continued.

"I think Josh is going to make some progress for sure. We’ve just got to make sure we make a bit as well."