BTCC 2017: Croft - Sutton stars, but qualifying crash injures three

Team BMR Subaru racer Ash Sutton starred at Croft, taking a victory and two runner-up positions as he moved within 20 points of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) lead.

However, the event was overshdowed by a qualifying crash that left three drivers with serious injuries.

Triple Eight MG Racing’s Aron Taylor-Smith (MG 6), Motorbase Performance’s Luke Davenport (Ford Focus) and Eurotech Racing's Jeff Smith (Honda Civic Type R) were all hospitalised in the incident at Barcroft corner; Taylor-Smith was released later that day with a fracture to his foot, but the other two drivers remain in hospital with injuries that are described as "not immediately life-threatening".

Smith is described as being in a "serious but stable condition", with multiple chest injuries, extensive shoulder injuries, a broken left arm and concussion. Davenport has been placed in an induced coma with multiple chest injuries, lung damage, a broken right leg, broken pelvis, broken right arm and concussion. His condition is also listed as "serious but stable".

BTCC Croft - round 13

Ash Sutton (Subaru Levorg) took his second victory of the season from pole position in the opening 15-lap race.

His victory was hard-earned, however, as he held off the WSR BMW 125i M Sport of Colin Turkington throughout, crossing the finish line just 0.6s ahead of his rival.

Behind, Mat Jackson (Motorbase Ford Focus) ensured the top three qualifiers finished in that order - in stark contrast to fourth-placed Rob Collard. The WSR 125i M Sport racer climbed from 11th on the grid to fourth place, despite running with significant success ballast.

Probably Collard’s best move came when he nipped past reigning champion Gordon Shedden (Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R) on the final corner, the Scot leaving enough room as he was mindful sixth would be enough to maintain his championship lead.