Encouraging debut for Hill at Donington BTCC Media Day

Revealing their stunning 2017 livery for the first time last Thursday, TAG Racing’s 23 year-old BRDC Rising Star Jake Hill showed encouraging pace at Donington Park during the Season Launch for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).
 
As Hill, his team mates Michael Epps and Will Burns, and the entire 2017 grid were revealed to the media for the first time, Kent-based Hill commented on the year ahead.
 
“We ran the car on Monday for the first time and I immediately felt at home and that the VW Passat CC is a real step-forward over last year’s car. Of course we are running with the RML-Spec 

suspension which makes the car stiffer and more responsive, but mainly it just feels very balanced an could see us be really competitive over the year.”

As the teams hit the track for the first time in 2017 as a collective, the team had a few frustrating issues which limited track running for Hill.  All three Team HARD  VW’s were fitted with improved brake cooling ducts, and on getting on circuit an issue with the steering caused a spin and meant a modification was required to solve the problem. The team also made some major set-up changes before heading out on track again later in the afternoon - only for the session to be stopped as another car had an incident.

Eventually with only 20 minutes remaining Hill got a run and set his fastest ‘sectors’ and looked good for a top-ten time when an issue with the fuel system ended his run early.

“Mike (Epps) was in the top-ten and my first and last sectors were 5th and 7th, so had we finished the lap I’m sure we would have been in the top-six overall. Most importantly the car responded really well to the set-up changes and modification to the steering  worked. We have testing at Rockingham and Brands coming up and I know we will be in good shape for the opening round of the season and beyond. My crew have worked so hard and the team as a whole are in great shape. I’m delighted to be representing TAG Racing and excited to have some of our long-term partners Sportif Cars, Brisky Racing, AW Supply

Services, Bill Rawles Classic Cars and Zynth on board again, and delighted to welcome new partners Rolec Electrical and Mechanical Services, Ecoflam and Danfoss to the fold for 2017” smiled Hill.

Team Principle Tony Gilham looked ahead to the season “Jake had a fantastic debut season last year, and with the new car and the group of partners we have we should have one of the most exciting packages. I can’t wait to see the #24 car and the others on track”

Qualifiying for the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is on 1st April with the opening three rounds on Sunday 2nd April all LIVE on ITV4.