Sutton extends BTCC deal for five more years

Five-time British Touring Car Championship title winner Ash Sutton is to race on in the series until at least the end of the 2031 season.

The Alliance Racing-run NAPA Racing UK squad has tied up the 32-year-old on a five-year extension to his time with the team, which began with the 2022 season.

Since then he has brought home the 2023 and 2026 drivers’ championship titles, as well as playing a large part in five consecutive teams’ championships, and two manufacturers’ crowns. Sutton has claimed 32 full-points race wins with the team.

Autosport understands that the deal was completed at the penultimate round of the 2026 series at Silverstone, where the drivers’, manufacturers’ and teams’ crowns were all wrapped up with one race weekend to spare.

“I’m over the moon to agree a new contract to continue my journey in the British Touring Car Championship for the next five years,” said Sutton.

“Over the last five years, we’ve had plenty of success, broken records, and made history together. I’m equally excited about what the future holds, to see what I can go on to achieve in my career and also this incredible journey with the team and its partners.

Ashley Sutton, NAPA Racing UK

Photo by: JEP

“Continuity is so important in the BTCC, and I already know I have the best team behind me, all chasing the same end goal. So, let’s see what milestone we can get next!

“Having my future guaranteed this early gives me the perfect platform to have a strong winter programme and to then come back next season in the best way possible. This championship doesn’t stand still, and I don’t plan to either.”

Sutton’s 2023 title was taken after a complete rework of the fourth-generation Ford Focus ST over the 2022-23 winter, and resulted in a record-equalling 12 wins during the season. This year, the hatchback STs have been replaced by the booted, Titanium model, allowing Sutton to break a tie for record number of BTCC titles that he jointly held with Andy Rouse and Colin Turkington.

“We are hugely excited to continue working with Ash as we look ahead to a long and successful future,” added Alliance chief Pete Osborne.

“Over the past five years, alongside NAPA, we have built something incredibly special. Ash has been an integral part of that journey, helping drive the team to new levels of performance and achievement.

“We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together next season as we continue to chase more success both on and off the track.”