NAPA Racing UK's Ash Sutton has come firing out of the blocks in the opening official pre-season BTCC test at Croft, as the three-time champion clocked the fastest lap time in the morning session.

The four-time champion will be looking to wrestle back his crown in 2025 as the Alliance Racing squad has worked tirelessly on making further improvements to its quartet of Ford Focuses.

Sutton's lap time of 1:21.047s was 0.009s quicker than Tom Chilton qualifying lap record from last season, with the lighter 2025 cars likely to prove nimbler and ultimately faster than last year's editions.

Josh Cook has already proven the returning prowess of both One Motorsport and its Honda Civic Type R, after their sabbatical in 2024, as the Bath driver set the second fastest time of the morning at Croft.

Rookie Max Hall turned heads as he grabbed third in the Un-Limited Motorsport Cupra, whilst the top six was rounded out by more familiar faces in the shape of Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK), Jake Hill (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) and Tom Ingram (Team VERTU).

Charles Rainford is another fresh face to look out for in 2025 and the WSR racer bagged seventh in the #99 BMW, ahead of Adam Morgan (Team VERTU), Árón Taylor-Smith (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing UK)and Dan Rowbottom (NAPA Racing UK).

All 22 cars present – both Tom Chilton and Michael Crees are absent – have hit the track this morning and they will be back to do it all again this afternoon with a session running between 1330-1650. LIVE timing is available here.