COOK AND SUTTON IN MG BTCC SEATS

Young British guns land factory drives with Triple Eight Racing

Triple Eight Racing has signed Josh Cook and Renault UK Clio Cup champion Ashley Sutton to race in the British Touring Car Championship this season.

Cook made his debut in the BTCC last season at the wheel of a Power Maxed Chevrolet Cruze and finished 15th in the points. He finished on the podium at Rockingham.

Former single-seater racer Sutton won the Clio Cup title in 2015, taking six victories and will make his debut in the category.

Cook said: “I’m over the moon to be working with a team and manufacturer that has such heritage. The introduction of the new RML components this season is bound to mix it up, and I’m coming straight off the back of a strong first season in the BTCC. I want to keep the momentum.”

Sutton, who has previously raced in Formula Vee and Formula Ford, said: “I am overwhelmed to have been given this opportunity as a manufacturer driver for MG with Triple Eight Racing in my first year of the BTCC. When we first joined the TOCA package back in 2014 I would have bitten someone’s hand off if they said I would be racing in the BTCC in just two years’ time. It has been a dream to compete in the BTCC for a full season from a very young age.”

Team head Ian Harrison said he was pleased to have two younger drivers at the squad because it would fit in well with MG’S brand image. “I have no doubts about either Josh or Ashley,” he said. “They are both young, quick drivers and they are going to be pushing MG to the front of the field.”