HILL READY FOR BTCC HOME RUN AT BRANDS HATCH
Goudhurst’s Jake Hill is ‘buzzing’ as the opening round of the 2016 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship approaches at his home circuit, Brands Hatch, next weekend.
22 year-old Hill will race his 300bhp RCIB Insurance Racing Toyota Avensis around the 1.2 mile sweeps near Dartford for the first time, having had a very encouraging run at the BTCC Media Day at Donington Park last Tuesday, and another valuable day’s testing at Brands last Friday, so heads to the race weekend feeling quietly confident.
“I drove my car for the very first time last week at Donington and we put in some really strong lap times - I ran in the top ten for most of the day - then we had another really good day on Friday, faring very well against the 888-run MG6 team who were also there. I have got a great team around me and some superb support. I’m so excited!” smiled Hill.
Hill’s team, RCIB Insurance Racing, are based near Brands in Rochester and team boss and former BTCC driver Tony Gilham is delighted with the team’s performance so far.
“Firstly I am so proud of my guys for building Jake’s car so quickly and so professionally. It has run faultlessly, but also has been very quick. The guys and Jake have gelled instantly which is crucial for a team to succeed, and our commercial partner’s are so pleased with our choice of Jake to run with us. He’s a great asset both in and out of the car, but most importantly he is a blisteringly fast young driver. He’ll be one to watch for sure”
Hill will have two practice sessions next Saturday (2nd April) before the high pressure of 32 evenly matched cars all fighting to record the best time in qualifying later that day.
That will set the order for race one at 11.30am on Sunday morning, with the finishing positions from that race determining the starting order for race two. Then the top-ten finishers from race two will enter the ‘lottery’ whereby any of them could be drawn at random as Pole Position for the final race late on Sunday afternoon. Hill explains;
“Obviously the plan is to qualify well for race one, then have a solid race and see what unfolds from there. This is the highest profile series in the UK with a superb mix of top teams and drivers, all of whom I have huge respect for. But I’m going into the weekend feeling very calm and confident that we can at least score some points, I just can’t wait!”
All three races are aired LIVE on ITV4 next Sunday 3rd April.
22 year-old Hill will race his 300bhp RCIB Insurance Racing Toyota Avensis around the 1.2 mile sweeps near Dartford for the first time, having had a very encouraging run at the BTCC Media Day at Donington Park last Tuesday, and another valuable day’s testing at Brands last Friday, so heads to the race weekend feeling quietly confident.
“I drove my car for the very first time last week at Donington and we put in some really strong lap times - I ran in the top ten for most of the day - then we had another really good day on Friday, faring very well against the 888-run MG6 team who were also there. I have got a great team around me and some superb support. I’m so excited!” smiled Hill.
Hill’s team, RCIB Insurance Racing, are based near Brands in Rochester and team boss and former BTCC driver Tony Gilham is delighted with the team’s performance so far.
“Firstly I am so proud of my guys for building Jake’s car so quickly and so professionally. It has run faultlessly, but also has been very quick. The guys and Jake have gelled instantly which is crucial for a team to succeed, and our commercial partner’s are so pleased with our choice of Jake to run with us. He’s a great asset both in and out of the car, but most importantly he is a blisteringly fast young driver. He’ll be one to watch for sure”
Hill will have two practice sessions next Saturday (2nd April) before the high pressure of 32 evenly matched cars all fighting to record the best time in qualifying later that day.
That will set the order for race one at 11.30am on Sunday morning, with the finishing positions from that race determining the starting order for race two. Then the top-ten finishers from race two will enter the ‘lottery’ whereby any of them could be drawn at random as Pole Position for the final race late on Sunday afternoon. Hill explains;
“Obviously the plan is to qualify well for race one, then have a solid race and see what unfolds from there. This is the highest profile series in the UK with a superb mix of top teams and drivers, all of whom I have huge respect for. But I’m going into the weekend feeling very calm and confident that we can at least score some points, I just can’t wait!”
All three races are aired LIVE on ITV4 next Sunday 3rd April.