Huge cheers could also be heard at Team HARD, as Essex man Bobby Thompson grabbed a fantastic podium for Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown.
Sutton takes 12th triumph of 2023
Sutton equalled Menu’s modern-day record of 12 race wins in a single BTCC season, as the Ford Focus driver produced a lights-to-flag double around the 2.43-mile circuit.
He made it look extremely comfortable from the front, taking another commanding victory ahead of Ingram (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8) and Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK).
Cammish was involved in a lap one incident when his Ford Focus made contact with the right-rear of Colin Turkington’s Team BMW 330e M Sport at Druids, breaking the suspension of the #4 machine.
As Turkington’s car slowed, he was collected by the Hyundai of Ronan Pearson (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8), who was subsequently hit by Michael Crees’ Autobrite Direct with Millers Oils Cupra.
The first of two safety car periods followed and when the dust eventually settled it was Ricky Collard (Toyota Gazoo Racing UK), Thompson (Go-Fix with Autoaid Breakdown) and Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) that completed the top six.
Hill ends BMW’s season on a high
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill clinched victory in the final Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race of the season, ending BMW’s campaign on a high.
Hill got the better of a sensational battle for victory, which initially involved Stephen Jelley (Team BMW) and Cook (One Motorsport with Starline Racing) swapping positions on a number of occasions at the head of the field.
While Jelley and Cook had an eye on each other, Hill spotted his chance as he incredibly sliced past both of them in the same move through Westfield.
Cook and Jelley completed the podium, whilst Ingram (Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8), Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK) and Collard (Toyota Gazoo Racing UK) rounded out the final top six of the season.