Front-running British Touring Car squad Team BMR has confirmed it will enter a car for 21-year-old Ashley Sutton (Bishop’s Stortford) – one of British motor sport’s most exciting young talents – in this year’s Renault UK Clio Cup.
BMR’s 2014 touring car drivers included two former top names to graduate from the Clio Cup – Aron Smith and Jack Goff (Champion in 2012).
Sutton, a finalist in November’s high-profile McLaren Autosport BRDC Awards and also a member of the prestigious BRDC Rising Stars programme, clearly hopes to follow Smith and Goff by competing with BMR in its first season in the Clio Cup – the proven feeding ground for the top British Touring Car names of the future.
For many Sutton was the stand-out performer in 2014’s MSA Formula (Ford) single-seater category and a shift to the Clio Cup clearly reinforces his determination to pursue a touring car career.
Sutton commented: “In all my years of racing I haven’t been as excited about getting back behind the wheel of a racing car after the winter break. We were looking to race in the Clio Cup in 2011 but didn’t quite pull it off, so to be on the grid in 2015 is fantastic and to be racing with Team BMR is the icing on the cake.
“I am looking forward to winter testing, it is going to be a challenge but it’s a challenge I accept. My plans with Team BMR are long-term and I want to be as much of a success for them as I do for myself.
“I wouldn’t be behind the wheel if it wasn’t for my fantastic sponsors, family and BMR for having faith in me and giving me this opportunity. Global Force Group and Select Fire Services helped me in 2014 and will be backing me in 2015 on my new and exciting journey with Team BMR. The future looks bright.”
The opening two races of this year’s 18-race Renault UK Clio Cup will take place at the world famous Brands Hatch circuit in Kent on the weekend of Sat 4th/Sun 5th April. All the races will take place during British Touring Car events meaning huge trackside crowds and live television coverage on ITV4.