BRDC 'Superstar' Jake Hill had a 'very frustrating' day at the opening Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park, where a promising qualifying performance did not translate into success on race day after a raft of technical issues.
Practice and Qualifying suggested that the 26 year-old MB Motorsport driver was in with a chance of a strong result in race one - P8 & P12 in practice despite some niggling issues and a committed lap saw Hill qualify P7....with a potential P4 on the cards were it not for a Red Flag whilst Hill was on his best lap.
"Very odd how the car changed so much from practice to qualifying! Understeer to huge oversteer in just a few hours...but very pleased to be in the mix - P3 in Independents too - so let's see what we can do.
The opening round of the 2020 season saw Hill immediately battling hard, ultimately with Matt Neal's Honda Civic Type-R FK8, the pair swapping places but catching the lead battle ahead. Hill was able to move to P6 after Sutton spun, but a lap later was into the pits and into retirement.
"Some kind of engine-related issue unfortunately" said Hill. "It felt like it was under parr from the beginning, then it just slowed and stopped. A huge shame"
The MB Motorsport crew worked frantically to replace Hill's engine in time for race two, and a truly remarkable effort from Ben, Rob T, Rob O, Dan, and Craig saw Hill's #24 machine just make it to the pitlane in time for the start of race two.
A strong start and some very impressive overtaking saw the MB Motorsport machine work its way up to P14 from a P26 start, with more progress able to be made. Incredibly though Hill trundled into the pits once again with a repeat of his race one woes.
"Wow. Two engine-related issues in two races. Pretty much unheard of but just my luck it has happened to me! I cannot believe my guys have to do another engine change. So grateful for the job they have done for me. I just hope I can repay them with a strong result in race three.
A strong start saw Hill make up a couple of places before a Safety Car neutralised the race, and on restarting Hill dived into the pits, a problem with the gear linkage halting his progress . Charging back into the race, a lap later Hill was back again,this time with a puncture.
His pace was now remarkable - setting the second fastest lap of anyone - and showing the strength of the MB Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R - and this time the engine ran faultlessly, giving Hill some confidence going into round two at Brands Hatch just a week away.
"Brands Hatch GP is my favourite circuit. The car is quick there and I go there with no success ballast and a point to prove. My amazing partners know I can deliver - and I am so very sure we can. A tough one this weekend but we still still have 24 races and lots of points to take!.
Watch out on ITV.COM/BTCC for qualifying on Saturday 8th August with all three races on ITV4 on Sunday 9th August to see how Jake gets on at 'home'
Practice and Qualifying suggested that the 26 year-old MB Motorsport driver was in with a chance of a strong result in race one - P8 & P12 in practice despite some niggling issues and a committed lap saw Hill qualify P7....with a potential P4 on the cards were it not for a Red Flag whilst Hill was on his best lap.
"Very odd how the car changed so much from practice to qualifying! Understeer to huge oversteer in just a few hours...but very pleased to be in the mix - P3 in Independents too - so let's see what we can do.
The opening round of the 2020 season saw Hill immediately battling hard, ultimately with Matt Neal's Honda Civic Type-R FK8, the pair swapping places but catching the lead battle ahead. Hill was able to move to P6 after Sutton spun, but a lap later was into the pits and into retirement.
"Some kind of engine-related issue unfortunately" said Hill. "It felt like it was under parr from the beginning, then it just slowed and stopped. A huge shame"
The MB Motorsport crew worked frantically to replace Hill's engine in time for race two, and a truly remarkable effort from Ben, Rob T, Rob O, Dan, and Craig saw Hill's #24 machine just make it to the pitlane in time for the start of race two.
A strong start and some very impressive overtaking saw the MB Motorsport machine work its way up to P14 from a P26 start, with more progress able to be made. Incredibly though Hill trundled into the pits once again with a repeat of his race one woes.
"Wow. Two engine-related issues in two races. Pretty much unheard of but just my luck it has happened to me! I cannot believe my guys have to do another engine change. So grateful for the job they have done for me. I just hope I can repay them with a strong result in race three.
A strong start saw Hill make up a couple of places before a Safety Car neutralised the race, and on restarting Hill dived into the pits, a problem with the gear linkage halting his progress . Charging back into the race, a lap later Hill was back again,this time with a puncture.
His pace was now remarkable - setting the second fastest lap of anyone - and showing the strength of the MB Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R - and this time the engine ran faultlessly, giving Hill some confidence going into round two at Brands Hatch just a week away.
"Brands Hatch GP is my favourite circuit. The car is quick there and I go there with no success ballast and a point to prove. My amazing partners know I can deliver - and I am so very sure we can. A tough one this weekend but we still still have 24 races and lots of points to take!.
Watch out on ITV.COM/BTCC for qualifying on Saturday 8th August with all three races on ITV4 on Sunday 9th August to see how Jake gets on at 'home'
