Hill Shows Fighting Spirit at Thruxton
Leaving the fastest circuit on the calendar, Thruxton in Hampshire, Trade Price Cars Brisky Racing’s Jake Hill praised his team for the huge efforts over the weekend, whilst recognising ‘it was a tough weekend ‘ for all four VW CC’s on track.
Hill and team-mate Mike Bushell had shown promise in practice, both running in the top-half of the times, but come qualifying the competion found additional pace, seeing Bushell qualify 19th, Hill 25th and causing some confusuion.
“We were feeling ok with the balance of the cars, but qualifying just didn’t unlock the pace we expected” said Hill.
Starting race one, a strong opening lap saw Hill move past Plato and Price then pass Nash at the end of the lap, then a problem for Ingram mid-race saw another place gained. Late on a battle between Cole and Hill’s team-mate Bushell saw side-by-side action and Hill edge past his colleague, to ultimately finish a hard-fought 20th.
“Was a really different feel to the car and the circuit temperature was over 40 degrees, so it was tough to understand how to get the best out of the car. I was so pleased to have made progress - only Josh Cook made up more places!”
Race two saw major changes to the car’s set-up, Hill saying his crew were’ Epic’ in getting things done in the time available, and a race-long battle with Jackson was settled in favour of the Audi driver late on, and Ingram headed past, but issues ahead for Smith, Oliphant, Cole and Cammish saw an eventual finish of 18th overall, but more progress.
Hill and team-mate Mike Bushell had shown promise in practice, both running in the top-half of the times, but come qualifying the competion found additional pace, seeing Bushell qualify 19th, Hill 25th and causing some confusuion.
“We were feeling ok with the balance of the cars, but qualifying just didn’t unlock the pace we expected” said Hill.
Starting race one, a strong opening lap saw Hill move past Plato and Price then pass Nash at the end of the lap, then a problem for Ingram mid-race saw another place gained. Late on a battle between Cole and Hill’s team-mate Bushell saw side-by-side action and Hill edge past his colleague, to ultimately finish a hard-fought 20th.
“Was a really different feel to the car and the circuit temperature was over 40 degrees, so it was tough to understand how to get the best out of the car. I was so pleased to have made progress - only Josh Cook made up more places!”
Race two saw major changes to the car’s set-up, Hill saying his crew were’ Epic’ in getting things done in the time available, and a race-long battle with Jackson was settled in favour of the Audi driver late on, and Ingram headed past, but issues ahead for Smith, Oliphant, Cole and Cammish saw an eventual finish of 18th overall, but more progress.
Thruxton Gallery
HILL WINS JACK SEARS TROPHY AND DUNLOP FOREVER FORWARD AWARD IN DONINGTON PARK THRILLER
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After being relegated to the back of the 32-car grid in qualifying, Trade Price Cars Brisky Racing driver Jake Hill demonstrated superb race craft and determination, charging up to a remarkable 17th place in race one, topping this with a drive from 22nd on the grid in to finish 10th in the day’s final race, and with it take the Jack Sears Trophy along with the Dunlop #ForeverForward award for most overtakes over the three races.
A ride-height infringement during Saturday’s wet qualifying saw Hill’s times disallowed whilst 10th on the grid, the team subsequently working hard to ensure he had a strong car for the three races - all which turned out to be dry. |
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"Jake is one of UK Motorsport’s brightest young prospects"
- Matt James - Editor - Motorsport News
