BTCC 2023: Napa Racing UK double before Team BMW fight back

Sutton sweeps to seventh success of season

NAPA Racing UK took another podium lockout in the second BTCC race of the day, as standings leader Sutton swept to his seventh win of the year so far.The #116 Ford Focus blasted off the line from second on the grid and cruised around the outside of team-mate Cammish to move into the lead through turn one, and the ultra-talented Sutton eventually pulled nearly eight seconds clear of the chasing pack.Cammish backed up his race one win success with a second-place finish, whilst Rowbottom again claimed third as he fended off Ingram for the 15-lap duration.Ingram hounded down Rowbottom and hauled his Hyundai i30N alongside his rival at one stage early on, but he was unable to make a move stick and had to settle for fourth.One Motorsport with Starline Racing’s Cook was fifth ahead of Turkington’s BMW 330e M Sport, but there was disappointment for one title contender as Hill spun down the order whilst in the battle for a top five finish.Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill was pressuring Cook’s Honda Civic Type R but seemed to push too hard through turn one on lap ten and eventually lost control on the exit of the corner – he would eventually finish 11th.

Turkington takes lights-to-flag victory

Team BMW’s Turkington claimed a commanding triumph in the final race at Croft, whilst Ingram took second to again close the gap to Sutton to just six points.Cook went for glory from the outside of the front row, but couldn’t convert a move on Turkington and also had to concede to Ingram as the field flew through the opening turns.There was even greater drama behind as Team BMW’s Stephen Jelley was involved in an incident with a trio of Napa Racing UK cars. Slight contact led to a further significant moment as a clash between Sutton’s Ford and Jelley’s BMW forced both cars into retirement.A safety car was called for when Sutton’s stricken machine failed to make it back into the pitlane, but Turkington was still able to control the race at the restart from Ingram and Cook.NAPA Racing UK’s Cammish and Rowbottom came home in fourth and fifth respectively to complete a fantastic day for the duo, whilst One Motorsport with Starline Racing’s Aiden Moffat grabbed a top six finish.Turkington’s triumph helped BMW maintain its lead of the Manufacturers’ standings, whilst NAPA Racing UK remain top of the Teams’ leaderboard.A solid weekend for Cook and his One Motorsport with Starline Racing outfit ensures they hold sway across the Independents’ honours, whilst CarStore Power Maxed Racing’s Mikey Doble tops the Jack Sears Trophy table.