The 2026 British Touring Car Championship kicked off in spectacular fashion at Donington Park, and for Alliance Racing/ NAPA Racing UK, it was a weekend that proved exactly why they remain the team to beat. Despite a qualifying session that threatened to derail the season opener, the team staged a masterclass in recovery to leave the East Midlands at the top of the standings.
The Fightback: Race 1
Saturday’s qualifying race didn’t go to plan, with Ash Sutton finding the gravel early, forcing him to start the season’s first race from the very back of the grid. However, Sutton showcased his trademark aggression and race craft, carving through the field in a frantic Race 1 to secure an improbable 2nd place finish. Teammates Dan Cammish and Sam Osborne also banked solid points. Debutant Lewis Selby also scored a point on his BTCC debut.
Total Dominance: Race 2
Race 2 belonged entirely to the NAPA blue and yellow. Starting from the front row, Sutton and Dan Cammish immediately gapped the field. The duo operated in perfect formation, managing the new turbo deployment regulations to perfection. The result was a commanding NAPA 1-2 finish, with Sutton taking his first win of the season and Cammish securing a vital podium.
Victory number 2: Race 3
Even with the reverse-grid draw, there was no stopping the Ford Focus saloon. Starting from the middle of the pack, Sutton navigated a chaotic opening few laps before picking off the leaders one by one. He took the chequered flag for his second win of the day, marking a near-perfect points haul and a victory in Sutton’s 300th race. A late race penalty demoted Cammish to 10th. Another points scoring finish added to Osborne’s points tally for the weekend.
Ash Sutton, said: “What a day! 24 hours ago, we were sat in the gravel trap so to turn this around is awesome. The car has been on fire, we also got a first one-two of the season for NAPA Racing UK, so it’s just been an incredible day. The Audis have looked good and so have the BMWs but of course the Hyundais will also be there. It’s early days of course. The new format will really take hold at Brands Hatch, which will spice things up, I’m sure.”
Team Performance & Standings
Sam Osborne: Showed flashes of front-running pace, contributing to NAPA Racing UK leading the Teams’ Championship.
Ash Sutton: 2 Wins, 1 Second Place.
Dan Cammish: Consistent top-five pace and a podium in Race 2.
Lewis Selby: A strong debut for the newcomer, keeping the car clean and scoring points in all three rounds.
