by Russell Atkins

TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE

James Sutton has spoken of his pride at having been chosen amongst the British Racing Drivers' Club's 14 new Superstars in 2008, though he confessed he enjoyed the irony of being instructed by the man he beat to the Porsche Carrera Cup GB crown last year.

The 21-year old made the switch across to tin-tops after three seasons spent in single-seaters, firstly in Formula BMW and later Formula Renault. When he was unable to raise the necessary £400,000 to make the next step-up to F3, however, things looked bleak – that was, at least, until Porsche came knocking.

“We had finished our second year of Formula Renault,” he recalled, “and, from there, you have to decide whether you want to go into F3 or somewhere else. We didn't have the budget for F3, but Redline Racing approached me and asked if I wanted to give Porsches a whirl. Danny Watts and Richard Westbrook had proved successful in them, and it turned out to be very fruitful for me too.”

Indeed it was and, at the end of a close-fought season, Sutton lifted the series laurels at his first attempt, seeing off the challenges of team-mate and 1992 British Touring Car champion Tim Harvey and former British F3 star Steven Kane along the way. He revealed he was pleased – if a little amused – to be joining forces with BRDC Superstars scheme director Harvey again in 2008.

“I do find it slightly ironic that he will be teaching me this year!” the London-born ace joked, before going on to praise the role the 46-year old played in his Porsche title charge. “I've known Tim a good year now and he's a lovely, charming fellow. He brought me into the championship comfortably, he was a very good team-mate and he taught me a lot.

“It was his help that ultimately allowed me to win the championship. Even from the first test I had at Donington, he came over and introduced himself and told me the best way to drive the car quickly. He taught us what we needed to win the championship and, hopefully, there will be much more experience to gain off him.

“I feel very proud [to be one of the BRDC Superstars], especially to have been chosen in the inaugural year that they've done it. To be selected by a panel as experienced and notable as they are makes me feel honoured.”

Confessing that he is now 'pretty much 99 per cent certain my future will be in sportscars', Sutton's reward for claiming the Porsche honours last year was to come to the attention of Andrew Kirkaldy and Chris Niarchos, launching their new CR Scuderia outfit which will challenge for glory in the British GT Championship in 2008.

“Andrew and Chris decided that what I did last year seemed good enough for the campaign they wanted to run in 2008,” the former BRDC Rising Star went on, speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio, “so they came and spoke to us and the package they put together was fantastic. We ended up joining them, and I think it's a very positive step in my career.