British Touring Car Champion Ash Sutton is eyeing a future Supercars enduro drive after completing a maiden test with Mobil 1 Boost Mobile Racing last month.
Sutton, who clinched the 2017 BTCC title for Subaru, has long been keen to sample a Supercar as he looks to expand his touring car career.
The outing came courtesy of a relationship with Walkinshaw Andretti United’s new technical guru Carl Faux whom he worked under at the factory Subaru Team BMR outfit in the BTCC.
Blown away by the test, the 24-year-old, who scored six wins on his way to a first BTCC crown last year, hopes the performance has registered with the team as he aims to one day make a competitive Supercars outing.
Sutton remains focussed on BTCC and plans to defend his title with Subaru this year, but is open to offers should they arise in the future.
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“I’d love to (do the enduros). It is an opportunity I wouldn’t turn down,” Sutton told Speedcafe.com.
“I’ve watched (Supercars) for a couple of years now and I will watch it for many more. It is definitely something I’m interested in doing.
“The endurance stuff seems very interesting and is a good way to get your foot in the door but we will see.
“I have got a lot of commitments over here (in the UK) with touring cars and family, but it won’t take much to drag me over the other side of the world.
“I don’t know what (the team’s) true thoughts are, but I have heard positive things, and I would like to think that I have helped them in some ways and maybe opened a door there.
“I’d like to think that I’m in the back of their minds.
“(There have been) no discussions (regarding enduros) but the team know I’m very keen, I made sure of that.
“If I can get some more seat time I think we can be quite racy.
“(BTCC) contracts are done on a yearly basis so I’m not tied in here.
“I’m still very young and I would like to get another championship belt, and unless it was a very good deal I don’t think I would go or consider going for a couple of years.”
Under Supercars rules he is now unable to take up an enduro drive this season should he be considered for a possible opportunity.
The experience has however whetted his appetite for Supercars racing and Sutton is expected to head out to Australia later this year to witness a championship round with the Clayton squad.
“I want to go out there just to be involved with the guys,” he added.
“They made me feel so welcome on that day and be in the background. They are a fantastic team and I can’t praise them enough.”
Sutton returns to BTCC action this weekend for Round 2 at Donington Park.
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