Brands Hatch British Touring Car Championship preview as Ash Sutton and Colin Turkington battle for title
Published: 00:00, 26 September 2017
Colin Turkington says he will have to outscore title rival Ash Sutton at every opportunity this weekend if he is to score his third British Touring Car Championship crown on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman, who last won the title in 2014, enters the championship-deciding weekend at Brands Hatch 10 points shy of his Subaru-mounted rival, who only made his debut in the series last year.
Reigning champion Gordon Shedden and Toyota pilot Tom Ingram are still in contention for the title mathematically, but Sutton and Turkington - on 338 and 328 points respectively - will be battling for the crown over three races on Sunday.
"I’m obviously on the back foot," Turkington said.
"From race one I’ve got to start reducing the deficit. It’s a positive it's only 10 points now, I’ve taken two from the gap having finished just two of the races at Silverstone.
"I have nothing to protect heading to Brands, it’s clear in my head I've got to outscore Ash at every opportunity – it is very straightforward for me from that point of view.
"I just have to go for it."
Sutton, who won the Renault Clio Cup in 2015, will be supported by team-mate Jason Plato in the finale, one of four Subaru Levorg drivers on the grid.
"I'm in a strong position," Sutton said.
"I just need to carry on the momentum we've got. Brands GP is a circuit I love and I'm feeling confident heading into the finale.
"For me, it’s time to reset and sit down with the team and Jason - he has been here before and I need to pick out what I can ahead of Brands."
Meanwhile, Goudhurst racer Jake Hill says he is hoping to score his maiden series podium at the weekend after a heartbreaking mechanical failure robbed him of a chance at the last round.
The 23-year-old scored his best-ever qualifying result at Silverstone in Northamptonshire but was forced out of contention when a cruel powersteering leak struck before race one.
Bosses at the Wrotham-based Motorbase Performance team will also be hoping for better fortune at their home circuit, having endured a tough season with their Shredded Wheat-backed Ford Focus machines.
Action starts at 9am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday. Tickets cost £15 on Saturday and £34 on Sunday, with under 13s admitted free. Visit www.brandshatch.co.uk for details.
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Dan Wright