BRDC ‘Rising Star’ Jake Hill took victory in the International Trophy for Pre’66 Classic GT Cars on his Silverstone Classic debut
24 year-old Jake Hill took one of the most unlikely overall victories at the 2018 Silverstone Classic today, battling Brisky Racing’s Lotus Elan 26R to a superb win, ahead of a field of charging AC Cobra, E-Type Jaguars, TVR Griffith and more, all driven by the finest historic drivers in the business, made all the more remarkable in that it was the BRDC ‘Rising Star’s’ debut , and the first time he had driven the car since November.
Hill put the car comfortably on Pole in his class, but more impressively ended up 7th overall in the mammoth 58 car field, and was very realistic in his ambitions for the ‘Daytona to Dusk’ race late on Saturday afternoon.
“The car is so incredibly well balanced. I love driving it so much and am hugely grateful to Richard Wheeler of Brisky Racing for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to compete in this incredible event. I know it will be tough but feel we may be in with a shout of challenging for an overall podium” said Hill after qualifying.
Howver a strong opening lap and some fierce battling saw Hill up to fourth overall by the end of the second lap of the 50 minute race, and quickly showing he was comfortable amongst the significantly more powerful machinery around him.
Hill put the car comfortably on Pole in his class, but more impressively ended up 7th overall in the mammoth 58 car field, and was very realistic in his ambitions for the ‘Daytona to Dusk’ race late on Saturday afternoon.
“The car is so incredibly well balanced. I love driving it so much and am hugely grateful to Richard Wheeler of Brisky Racing for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to compete in this incredible event. I know it will be tough but feel we may be in with a shout of challenging for an overall podium” said Hill after qualifying.
Howver a strong opening lap and some fierce battling saw Hill up to fourth overall by the end of the second lap of the 50 minute race, and quickly showing he was comfortable amongst the significantly more powerful machinery around him.
Silverstone Classic Gallery
Hill blasts Brisky Racing's Lotus to Pole on Silverstone Classic Debut
BRDC ‘Rising Star’ Jake Hill made a sensational debut in qualifying for the International Trophy for Pre 1966 GT Cars, at the Silverstone Classic, taking Pole Position in class by a whopping 2.8 seconds, and placing Brisky Racing’s nimble Lotus Elan 26R a remarkable 7th overall on a 58-car grid.
The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car regular has driven the car with it’s owner - Brisky Racing’s Richard Wheeler - at Brands Hatch last November, but not driven the car since, which makes his performance in qualifying even more surprising, and something which the Kent-based driver is both surprised and proud.
“I absolutely love driving the Elan! It is so ‘chuckable’ and rewards commitment and precision, but with such an incredibly strong field - both drivers and cars to be in the top-ten overall is a big surprise. The car is so very good through the twisty sections, but of course cars like the AC Cobra, E-Type, and TVR Griffith are so powerful and have some great drivers on board, so it should be interesting how we fare in the race”
“I would like to say an massive thank you to Richard Wheeler for giving me this fantastic opportunity. He has been such a great friend and believer in me, so to have this chance is fantastic. Richard and Ross Curnow won two races in the car in the CSCC meeting last week so I will have to give it everything to try and keep up the strong record. John Danby and Ross from JDR have done a superb job, so thanks to them of course too.
The race is on Saturday (21st) at 18.30 and forms part of the ‘Daytona at Dusk’ programme of sports car races, with Hill under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
“It’s a 50 minute race so I will have to make sure I am kind to the car, but I know what a superb job the JDR crew have done in preparing the car so feel confident we will be in the mix in class, and I’m aiming to be in the top-ten overall”
Check out the Silverstone Classic You Tube channel for all the action.
The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car regular has driven the car with it’s owner - Brisky Racing’s Richard Wheeler - at Brands Hatch last November, but not driven the car since, which makes his performance in qualifying even more surprising, and something which the Kent-based driver is both surprised and proud.
“I absolutely love driving the Elan! It is so ‘chuckable’ and rewards commitment and precision, but with such an incredibly strong field - both drivers and cars to be in the top-ten overall is a big surprise. The car is so very good through the twisty sections, but of course cars like the AC Cobra, E-Type, and TVR Griffith are so powerful and have some great drivers on board, so it should be interesting how we fare in the race”
“I would like to say an massive thank you to Richard Wheeler for giving me this fantastic opportunity. He has been such a great friend and believer in me, so to have this chance is fantastic. Richard and Ross Curnow won two races in the car in the CSCC meeting last week so I will have to give it everything to try and keep up the strong record. John Danby and Ross from JDR have done a superb job, so thanks to them of course too.
The race is on Saturday (21st) at 18.30 and forms part of the ‘Daytona at Dusk’ programme of sports car races, with Hill under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
“It’s a 50 minute race so I will have to make sure I am kind to the car, but I know what a superb job the JDR crew have done in preparing the car so feel confident we will be in the mix in class, and I’m aiming to be in the top-ten overall”
Check out the Silverstone Classic You Tube channel for all the action.
"Jake is one of UK Motorsport’s brightest young prospects"
- Matt James - Editor - Motorsport News
