The question of whether we’re alone in the universe might still be awaiting its answer, but ask who the greatest touring car driver of the modern BTCC era is, and without hesitation, I’ll say “Ash Sutton”.

Right now, there’s seemingly nothing that the combined talents of Colin Turkington, Tom Ingram, Dan Cammish, Josh Cook, and Jake Hill can do to put a halt to one of the finest individual performances that the BTCC has ever witnessed. The NAPA Racing UK man has already surpassed his total win tally from his 2021 title-winning season, and with three consecutive double victories now notched-up (Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Thruxton), Sutton’s quest for a record-equalling fourth championship crown is at a pace that already makes him look uncatchable.

Of course, this is a sport where literally anything can happen, but from what I’ve seen from the first four weekends of racing, this partnership of driver, car and team looks so supremely in tune that we’re currently only glimpsing the true potential.

Here are twenty of our favourite images from Rounds 10-12, plus a few from the support races too. It’s not all about Ash Sutton, but we make no apologies for featuring him more than any other. He’s already proven himself to be a worthy champion, but this season isn’t only about winning, it’s about history.

Aiming high: Sutton celebrates win #1 of the weekend.
... and then races to win #2
Dan Rowbottom made it three out of three for NAPA Racing UK
... and enjoyed a champagne shower afterwards
Tom Ingram remains focused on collecting as many points as possible to stay in the championship race
Colin Turkington just edged teammate Jake Hill in the race for points
But One Motorsport's Aiden Moffat was able to hold-off Turkington's podium challenge
... and got a hug from dad as the Scotsman celebrates his first silverware of the year, and first with his new team too
Hard work by the Car Store Power Maxed Racing team gave Mikey Doble the pace to race to P4 in quali, then bring home the Jack Sears Trophy after three solid points scoring races
Árón Taylor-Smith was another to benefit from improvements to the Vauxhall, recording three top ten finishes
Mike Jordan delivered a tyre-stack-thumping performance in the Mini Se7ens to bring home the first part of a double family double
It's not just Robert de Haan's Porsche livery that reminds us of Harry King; the Dutch teenager collecting his third win of the year in Carrera Cup GB.
Jade Edwards deserves better than the season she's having with Team HARD, and it's not made any easier when she's having to go wheel-to-wheel with Will Powell in the car that should have been hers.
Powell, on the other hand, had problems of a different nature
Up in the commentary box, David Addison still managed a smile, despite the less than plush surroundings
Whilst out on track, his fans were doing their bit too, Frazer Hack racing to P1 in class in the Mini Se7ens
Adam Morgan returned to the Thruxton podium with a well-earned P2 in race 3
And it was a well-earned return to the old podium too for Alan Hyde, who made his commentary debut here 30 years ago
The finishing line: Ash Sutton gives his crew a blast as he takes his first win of the day
And immediately joins team owner Pete Osborne in recognition of what they're achieving together

All images by Mike Hills, and Steve Hindle

Ash Sutton british touring car championship btcc ford focus st Motorbase Performance NAPA Racing UK Thruxton touren wagen touring cars