Standout weekend for NAPA Racing's Ash Sutton at Donington Park
With the new qualifying race format already proving its value in intensifying competition and influencing race outcomes, the championship looks set for another highly competitive season—though Sutton has firmly established himself as the driver to beat after the opening rounds.
The 2026 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship burst into life at Donington Park last weekend (18-19 April), delivering three action-packed races and introducing a new qualifying race format that immediately added an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the opening rounds writes Paul Horton.
A key change for the 2026 season sees the traditional qualifying session complemented by a short qualifying race, helping to set the grid for Race 1. The format places greater emphasis on race craft from the outset of the weekend, with drivers balancing aggression and tyre management earlier than ever before—something that played a clear role in shaping the results at Donington.
On track, it was four-time BTCC champion Ash Sutton of NAPA Racing UK in the Ford Focus Titanium who emerged as the standout performer, delivering a near-perfect weekend to establish an early lead in the championship standings.
The opening race saw Mikey Doble claim his maiden BTCC victory for LKQ Euro Car Parts with Power Maxed Racing, ahead of Sutton and Charles Rainford. However, the result came after late drama, with Tom Ingram excluded post-race for a technical infringement after initially taking the chequered flag first.
Race 2 belonged to NAPA Racing UK, as Sutton led home teammate Dan Cammish to secure a dominant one-two finish, while BTCC comeback driver Gordon Shedden completed the podium.
In the reverse-grid finale, Sutton once again demonstrated his race craft, charging through the field in his 300th BTCC race to secure his second victory of the weekend. He was joined on the podium by Tom Ingram and Ricky Collard, capping off a competitive and unpredictable final contest.
Across the three races, Sutton’s tally of two wins and a second-place finish underlined both his consistency and outright pace, while also highlighting the strength of the NAPA Racing UK squad. The opening weekend also showcased the depth of the 2026 grid, with multiple teams and drivers featuring at the front.
With the new qualifying race format already proving its value in intensifying competition and influencing race outcomes, the championship looks set for another highly competitive season—though Sutton has firmly established himself as the driver to beat after the opening rounds.