Jake Hill says he is looking forward to one of the most challenging tracks on the British Touring Car Championship calendar as the series visits Knockhill in Scotland this weekend.
The 25-year-old, already a podium finisher this year in his Trade Price Cars Racing Audi S3, thinks that the tight confines and the dramatic elevation changes in the 1.27-mile track, cut into a hillside in Fife, represent a thrill-a-minute ride for all competitors.
Hill goes to the meeting aiming to put himself firmly in the chase for big points and thinks that anything is possible over the course of the three rounds North of the border.
"Knockhill is such a rewarding circuit from a driver's point of view," explains the Kent-based driver. "You have to be inch perfect to get the ultimate lap and there are two sections – the first sequence of corners at Duffus Dip and the chicane over a blind crest – that require the maximum commitment. Get them right, and you put a smile on your face.
"You have to beware though because if you smack a kerb slightly wrong, it can easily send you into orbit! The cars launch right up onto two wheels. It looks very dramatic, but it is certainly not always the fastest way.
"To some extent, I would say I enjoy the Saturday the most at Knockhill. Firstly it will be great to get back in the car and, secondly, you get lots of track time in the free practice and qualifying sessions. You are trying to thread the eye of a needle all the time."
Hill has scored points in each one of the seven BTCC meetings held so far this season and says a little bit of local knowledge will help him attack for more podiums this weekend. He will line up alongside the sister AmDTuning.com-run Honda Civic of Rory Butcher, who has previously worked at the circuit as an instructor.
"Having Rory in our camp will certainly help, and I will pick his brains. I'll take any advantage I can," says Hill, who lines up alongside ex-F1 driver Mark Blundell in the Audi.
"We know our car works really well on the slower and more technical sections of any circuit, and Knockhill is one big technical section, so that gives me some optimism going to Scotland. We'll have to see where we are after the free practice sessions and work on the car from there, but I am certainly relishing what is one of the most enjoyable BTCC weekends of the season."
The qualifying session takes place at 1500hrs on Saturday and is streamed live on the itv.com website. The first race on Sunday kicks off at 1145hrs and the entire raceday is broadcast live on ITV4.
The 25-year-old, already a podium finisher this year in his Trade Price Cars Racing Audi S3, thinks that the tight confines and the dramatic elevation changes in the 1.27-mile track, cut into a hillside in Fife, represent a thrill-a-minute ride for all competitors.
Hill goes to the meeting aiming to put himself firmly in the chase for big points and thinks that anything is possible over the course of the three rounds North of the border.
"Knockhill is such a rewarding circuit from a driver's point of view," explains the Kent-based driver. "You have to be inch perfect to get the ultimate lap and there are two sections – the first sequence of corners at Duffus Dip and the chicane over a blind crest – that require the maximum commitment. Get them right, and you put a smile on your face.
"You have to beware though because if you smack a kerb slightly wrong, it can easily send you into orbit! The cars launch right up onto two wheels. It looks very dramatic, but it is certainly not always the fastest way.
"To some extent, I would say I enjoy the Saturday the most at Knockhill. Firstly it will be great to get back in the car and, secondly, you get lots of track time in the free practice and qualifying sessions. You are trying to thread the eye of a needle all the time."
Hill has scored points in each one of the seven BTCC meetings held so far this season and says a little bit of local knowledge will help him attack for more podiums this weekend. He will line up alongside the sister AmDTuning.com-run Honda Civic of Rory Butcher, who has previously worked at the circuit as an instructor.
"Having Rory in our camp will certainly help, and I will pick his brains. I'll take any advantage I can," says Hill, who lines up alongside ex-F1 driver Mark Blundell in the Audi.
"We know our car works really well on the slower and more technical sections of any circuit, and Knockhill is one big technical section, so that gives me some optimism going to Scotland. We'll have to see where we are after the free practice sessions and work on the car from there, but I am certainly relishing what is one of the most enjoyable BTCC weekends of the season."
The qualifying session takes place at 1500hrs on Saturday and is streamed live on the itv.com website. The first race on Sunday kicks off at 1145hrs and the entire raceday is broadcast live on ITV4.