Hill flies to best-ever qualifying in Brands Hatch BTCC opener
23 year-old Kent-based BTCC star Jake Hill impressed with an outstanding lap late in a chaotic rain-affected session, taking the distinctive TAG Racing VW Passat CC into the top-ten in his first-ever race in the Team HARD-run machine despite early challenges.
“In the two practice sessions we couldn’t get the car to work the way we hoped and just didn’t get the lap time we knew was in the car. My boys we outstanding today - they worked so hard and got the car right when it really mattered, so a huge thanks to them. I’m delighted for TAG and all of our partners to have qualified 9th, my best ever, and 6th of the Independent Drivers - I’m so excited for raceday!” smiled Jake.
Team Principle Tony Gilham commented on the job Jake and his team-mates Mike Epps and Will Burns did in difficult conditions “Everyone knows how incredibly competitive this season is, so to see both Jake and Mike get their best-ever qualifying is special. It was dry, then drizzling, then it was stopped when Sutton went off - and we had a couple of laps before it really rained hard. They really pulled it out the bag, and Will will be charging through for sure. I am really proud with the job the boys did and of the whole team.”
After the changing conditions and session stoppage Hill was sitting in 29th out of the 32 runners and knew he would have a very brief opportunity to improve as the rain was already falling. “I went out hard on the tyres to get maximum heat into them and was on the back of Rob Austin and Adam Morgan - both very quick guys - and I think that helped me understand the limit, but to get 9th was a real bonus. So pleased!” added Jake.
All three race will be shown LIVE on ITV4 from 10.15am - with race one scheduled for 11.30am, race two at 2.15pm and the final race at 5.05pm - with highlights shown the following weekend and available on the ITV Hub for 30 days.
“In the two practice sessions we couldn’t get the car to work the way we hoped and just didn’t get the lap time we knew was in the car. My boys we outstanding today - they worked so hard and got the car right when it really mattered, so a huge thanks to them. I’m delighted for TAG and all of our partners to have qualified 9th, my best ever, and 6th of the Independent Drivers - I’m so excited for raceday!” smiled Jake.
Team Principle Tony Gilham commented on the job Jake and his team-mates Mike Epps and Will Burns did in difficult conditions “Everyone knows how incredibly competitive this season is, so to see both Jake and Mike get their best-ever qualifying is special. It was dry, then drizzling, then it was stopped when Sutton went off - and we had a couple of laps before it really rained hard. They really pulled it out the bag, and Will will be charging through for sure. I am really proud with the job the boys did and of the whole team.”
After the changing conditions and session stoppage Hill was sitting in 29th out of the 32 runners and knew he would have a very brief opportunity to improve as the rain was already falling. “I went out hard on the tyres to get maximum heat into them and was on the back of Rob Austin and Adam Morgan - both very quick guys - and I think that helped me understand the limit, but to get 9th was a real bonus. So pleased!” added Jake.
All three race will be shown LIVE on ITV4 from 10.15am - with race one scheduled for 11.30am, race two at 2.15pm and the final race at 5.05pm - with highlights shown the following weekend and available on the ITV Hub for 30 days.