Hill used the traction advantage of his rear-wheel-drive West Surrey Racing BMW 330e M Sport to retain the lead at the start from pole position, but crucially Sutton did not concede any positions to the phalanx of BMWs behind in his front-driven Motorbase Performance Ford Focus.
Sutton was absolutely lit on the opening lap, getting sideways at the chicane in his pursuit of Hill. He attacked the BMW into the hairpin, drawing to the outside.
