Dexter Patterson joins Southam-based Laser Tools Racing for 2022 British Touring Car Championship campaign as three-time champ Ash Sutton moves on

SCOTTISH teenager Dexter Patterson will partner Aiden Moffat for Laser Tools Racing’s 2022 British Touring Car Championship campaign after three-time champion Ash Sutton decided to switch allegiances.

Patterson, 18, arrives at Southam-based Laser Tools after Sutton made the surprise move to the Motorbase Performance-run NAPA Racing outfit for the new season. With Carl Boardley not competing in the series next year, it means Laser Tools will have a two-car entry for 2022.

Laser Tools decided to bring Patterson on board after he delivered a stunning performance at a recent test at Snetterton driving one of the team’s championship-winning Infiniti Q50s.

He achieved impressive lap times on a cool and damp track in a car which he was driving for the very first time, and one which was set up for another driver.

“I loved the Infiniti – it is certainly different to the single-seaters that I’m used to,” said Patterson.

“It was a bit slippery in the morning session, but as the track dried off in the afternoon we went onto slicks and I was very happy with my lap times.

“The brakes take a bit of getting used to though – in the single-seater I can see when the tyres are about to lock up and I can brake much later.

“I’m really looking forward to the extended test sessions pre-season and of course, getting used to the new hybrid car. What an opportunity.”

Patterson started competition karting in 2011 and four years later he won the Super 1 National and Formula Kart Stars series. He then achieved victory the following year at the Kartmasters British Grand Prix in the Rotax Mini Max class.

It was then in 2017 that Patterson savoured a lot of success, triumphing in the Trofeo delle Industrie and winning the Karting World Championship on his first attempt.

For 2021, he progressed into the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, gaining his first podium in the series in just his third race.

Now Patterson changes up to a higher gear as he enters the BTCC, the third-longest running motorsport championship in the world and the UK’s premier championship.

Laser Tools team principal Bob Moffat said: “We’ve always been very appreciative of the support and encouragement that Aiden has received from Laser Tools over quite a number of years now.

“Now we can continue with Laser’s ethos of spotting young talent and then developing that talent on the race track.

“Dexter is a great fit for us, it’s exactly why Laser Tools got into the BTCC. With our on-going collaboration with Tony Gilham and Team HARD, we are really looking forward to the 2022 season now.”