Three-time title winner Sutton, who has switched to a Motorbase Performance-run Ford Focus for this season, stamped in a time with just under 10 minutes remaining in the afternoon to eclipse the morning best of Jake Hill by 0.137 seconds.
It was a qualifying simulation for Sutton, who switched on his headlights in the gloom in case anyone was in the way – they weren’t – and produced a kerb-smothering special to vault to the top.
