HILL FLYING AT KNOCKHILL BTCc
MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square driver Jake Hill had what he described as 'probably my best BTCC weekend ever' after firstly qualifying on the front-row of the grid, a mere 0.053 seconds away from Pole Position, then taking a second top-three finish in a row in race one, and adding much-needed points with two battling drives to P8 and P5 in the remaining two races.
"Of course winning here last year was so special, plus the other podiums I've had have been so important. What was so good about this weekend was the qualifying pace - I've now qualified in the top-seven in all four events, and in both race one and race three today the car was really strong.
"It's no secret we've had ongoing technical issues - we had a misfire and a clutch problem on Saturday, and I know before we go to Thruxton the team will make a couple of major changes.
"I have to say the biggest 'thank you' to all of the guys on my car - from (team manager) Rob Ticker, to my engineer Craig Porley, and my amazing boys (and girl!) on the car - Ben, Rob O, Dan, Micky P, Charlie and data Rob - they have worked their hearts out in this crazy five week period of four events. I love working with them and am looking forward to them having a smoother ride soon!
"Of course winning here last year was so special, plus the other podiums I've had have been so important. What was so good about this weekend was the qualifying pace - I've now qualified in the top-seven in all four events, and in both race one and race three today the car was really strong.
"It's no secret we've had ongoing technical issues - we had a misfire and a clutch problem on Saturday, and I know before we go to Thruxton the team will make a couple of major changes.
"I have to say the biggest 'thank you' to all of the guys on my car - from (team manager) Rob Ticker, to my engineer Craig Porley, and my amazing boys (and girl!) on the car - Ben, Rob O, Dan, Micky P, Charlie and data Rob - they have worked their hearts out in this crazy five week period of four events. I love working with them and am looking forward to them having a smoother ride soon!
PODIUM AND POINTS FOR HILL AT OULTON PARK BTCC
26 year-old Kent-based BRDC 'Superstar' Jake Hill enjoyed a superb weekend at the spectacular sweeps of Oulton Park in Cheshire, putting in three determined and very tenacious drives to take points in all three races, with a first-ever podium for MB Motorsport , taking P3 in race one.
"We had another strong Saturday - good pace in practice and another good qualifying in P6 - great that we have qualified in the top 7 in all three races so far, so our single-lap pace is good.
"In unbelievably wet conditions the car was really good. I lost a couple of places at the start but got passed Chilton easily then caught and passed Neal on lap one. The BMW's are usually rapid in the wet, but maybe the weight hurt them and I passed both of them and then caught Cammish.
"I though I might pass him but they are so much faster in a straight line I just couldn't make it stick. Finishing P4 was our best result of the season and I am chuffed with that.
"We had another strong Saturday - good pace in practice and another good qualifying in P6 - great that we have qualified in the top 7 in all three races so far, so our single-lap pace is good.
"In unbelievably wet conditions the car was really good. I lost a couple of places at the start but got passed Chilton easily then caught and passed Neal on lap one. The BMW's are usually rapid in the wet, but maybe the weight hurt them and I passed both of them and then caught Cammish.
"I though I might pass him but they are so much faster in a straight line I just couldn't make it stick. Finishing P4 was our best result of the season and I am chuffed with that.
Points and Pace for Hill at Blistering Brands Hatch BTCc
MB Motorsport's Jake Hill came away from a stiflingly hot weekend at Brands Hatch having taken his best-ever BTCC qualifying position, and his first points of the 2020 season, topped both free practice sessions, but also suffered also some bitterly cruel luck.
26 year-old Hill, from nearby East Farleigh in Kent, relished the chance of attacking the 2.43 mile sweeping Grand Prix Circuit, and immediately set a superb pace, topping both of Saturday's free practice sessions for the first-time in his career.
"The car was superb in practice, then in qualifying we were also really strong, taking P4 - another 0.055 seconds and I would have had Pole Position. It's mega to be racing at my 'home' circuit, and to have such a quick car under me has been incredible.
Hill started race one well but the fast-starting BMW of Turkington swept past, with Hill then running strongly and quickly in the early stages, setting 4th fastest lap and battling with Tom Ingram until lap 11 when the Gazoo Racing Corolla edged past.
After a Safety Car came out as Neal hit the wall, Hill was immediately under threat from Chilton and Sutton, the latter edging the No.24 car onto the grass resulting in Hill dropping to P10.
26 year-old Hill, from nearby East Farleigh in Kent, relished the chance of attacking the 2.43 mile sweeping Grand Prix Circuit, and immediately set a superb pace, topping both of Saturday's free practice sessions for the first-time in his career.
"The car was superb in practice, then in qualifying we were also really strong, taking P4 - another 0.055 seconds and I would have had Pole Position. It's mega to be racing at my 'home' circuit, and to have such a quick car under me has been incredible.
Hill started race one well but the fast-starting BMW of Turkington swept past, with Hill then running strongly and quickly in the early stages, setting 4th fastest lap and battling with Tom Ingram until lap 11 when the Gazoo Racing Corolla edged past.
After a Safety Car came out as Neal hit the wall, Hill was immediately under threat from Chilton and Sutton, the latter edging the No.24 car onto the grass resulting in Hill dropping to P10.
