After a superb debut in the ADAC Ravenol Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, BRDC Member Jake Hill returned to racing action in the blistering heat of the Cote D’Azure, reuniting with Era Motorsport for the Michelin 12 Hours at Paul Ricard near Marseille.
A challenging opening two rounds with mechanical issues and an incident meant the team had yet to make their mark on their 2026 Michelin 24H Series campaign, but returned invigorated with their stunning new Ferrari 296GT3 ‘Evolution’ - a significantly enhanced version of the car the team have campaigned since early 2025.
“Testing showed a real step forward, and in every possible way the car is noticeably better - and all of us (co-drivers Dwight Merriman, Ryan Dalziel and Oliver Bryant) feel much more confident in the car”
Hill set the second quickest time in his part of qualifying - just behind factory Mercedes star Maro Engel - and strong performances from Merriman and Dalziel meant the striking No.81 machine would start P8.
Hill started the first 6 hour part on Saturday morning, immediately making up places to end the opening lap in fourth place, and gradually worked his way past De Breuker’s Mercedes, Palette’s Audi and ultimately up into second behind Engel’s Mercedes, setting the second fastest lap of the race at that stage.
“That was fantastic! Car was great and really happy with our pace. Loving the new car!”
Excellent work by his team-mates and slick strategy by the team saw a late fuel stop and ended the day in P8 but in excellent shape for the second six hours on Sunday morning.
Again starting the car, Hill was caught up in an opening lap scrap, but fought his way past rivals to again work his way up to second place at the end of his shorter stint, and handed over to Oliver Bryant who again continued a strong run, taking the Ferrari into the race lead.
After Merriman’s strong run, Dalziel took over, and as the race neared the end, rivals ahead were due to stop for fuel which would have promoted the 81 car to second overall and leading the ProAm class. However late caution periods meant rivals benefitted, and the Era squad ultimately crossed the line fourth overall but taking their first ProAm podium of the season.
“So proud of the team - a brilliant job by everyone involved - strategy was spot-on and were it not for those late cautions we would have challenged for the Win - but very pleased with this result”
Nurburgring NLS 6 - Saturday 20th June - ProSport Racing GMBH Mercedes AMG GT Evo
Following on from last month’s ‘N24’ Hill was called up by Kyle Tilley to join him and former N24 Winner Adam Christodolou in the ProSport Racing GMBH Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo, the first time Hill and Tilley had driven an AMG, the pair driving in Friday’s free practice to learn the car.
Qualifying on Saturday morning saw ‘Christo’ set a strong benchmark time, before Tilley took to the track and again improved, with Hill then on board for the final part of the 90 minute session.
As the session unfolded, Hill began to improve, setting a 7m 58.214 before a stunning final lap of 7m 57.614 to take ProAm Pole Position and fourth overall - just 0.352 from second overall, and ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours winner Kamui Kobayashi and Le Mans runner-up Robin Frijns.
“That was intense! The car is just fantastic - so predictable and confidence inspiring - incredible job by the crew at ProSport and my team-mates”
Christodolou started the distinctive Bilstein sponsored yellow and blue No.26 machine and immediately passed Bachler into third, then closed down the KCMG Mercedes of Kobaysashi and swept past on the opening lap, and chased after leader Krognes’ Aston Martin.
The opening hour of racing was sensational - with a train of six cars battling for the lead, but ultimately the 26 car staying in second after Christodolou’s brilliant stint, as Kyle Tilley took aver for his run.
As often is the case with the NLS series with over 130 cars on track in several classes, incidents were aplenty and Tilley’s stint was constantly disrupted by caution periods, nevertheless a smooth and quick stint gave Hill and excellent change of a strong result as he took over.
Quickly getting to grips with the car, Hill was battling hard with the Black Falcon Porsche of Tobias Muller and Gamota Racing’s BMW M4 of David Jahn for the ProAm lead, with traffic and caution periods also affecting the battle, but Hill lapping strongly late on battled hard to a superb Second place in ProAm and fourth overall in GT3 or SP9 class.
“Absolutely loved that. The car was brilliant and we were really looking good for challenging for the ProAm win but just got unlucky with traffic, but well done to the Black Falcon folks and most importantly a massive ‘Thank You’ to Kyle Tilley for having me as part of his line-up, and for Adam for his help and doing a brilliant job all weekend, plus of course the entire ProSport squad”
Hill is hopeful of more outings in NLS, but for now will focus on returning to the Nurburgring on 3-5th July for the next Michelin 24H Series event with Era Motorsport, back in the Ferrari 296GT3 Evo.
“This time on the GP Circuit, but confident we can build on our excellent showing at ‘Ricard and challenge again at the front. Really looking forward to getting back out there”
A challenging opening two rounds with mechanical issues and an incident meant the team had yet to make their mark on their 2026 Michelin 24H Series campaign, but returned invigorated with their stunning new Ferrari 296GT3 ‘Evolution’ - a significantly enhanced version of the car the team have campaigned since early 2025.
“Testing showed a real step forward, and in every possible way the car is noticeably better - and all of us (co-drivers Dwight Merriman, Ryan Dalziel and Oliver Bryant) feel much more confident in the car”
Hill set the second quickest time in his part of qualifying - just behind factory Mercedes star Maro Engel - and strong performances from Merriman and Dalziel meant the striking No.81 machine would start P8.
Hill started the first 6 hour part on Saturday morning, immediately making up places to end the opening lap in fourth place, and gradually worked his way past De Breuker’s Mercedes, Palette’s Audi and ultimately up into second behind Engel’s Mercedes, setting the second fastest lap of the race at that stage.
“That was fantastic! Car was great and really happy with our pace. Loving the new car!”
Excellent work by his team-mates and slick strategy by the team saw a late fuel stop and ended the day in P8 but in excellent shape for the second six hours on Sunday morning.
Again starting the car, Hill was caught up in an opening lap scrap, but fought his way past rivals to again work his way up to second place at the end of his shorter stint, and handed over to Oliver Bryant who again continued a strong run, taking the Ferrari into the race lead.
After Merriman’s strong run, Dalziel took over, and as the race neared the end, rivals ahead were due to stop for fuel which would have promoted the 81 car to second overall and leading the ProAm class. However late caution periods meant rivals benefitted, and the Era squad ultimately crossed the line fourth overall but taking their first ProAm podium of the season.
“So proud of the team - a brilliant job by everyone involved - strategy was spot-on and were it not for those late cautions we would have challenged for the Win - but very pleased with this result”
Nurburgring NLS 6 - Saturday 20th June - ProSport Racing GMBH Mercedes AMG GT Evo
Following on from last month’s ‘N24’ Hill was called up by Kyle Tilley to join him and former N24 Winner Adam Christodolou in the ProSport Racing GMBH Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo, the first time Hill and Tilley had driven an AMG, the pair driving in Friday’s free practice to learn the car.
Qualifying on Saturday morning saw ‘Christo’ set a strong benchmark time, before Tilley took to the track and again improved, with Hill then on board for the final part of the 90 minute session.
As the session unfolded, Hill began to improve, setting a 7m 58.214 before a stunning final lap of 7m 57.614 to take ProAm Pole Position and fourth overall - just 0.352 from second overall, and ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours winner Kamui Kobayashi and Le Mans runner-up Robin Frijns.
“That was intense! The car is just fantastic - so predictable and confidence inspiring - incredible job by the crew at ProSport and my team-mates”
Christodolou started the distinctive Bilstein sponsored yellow and blue No.26 machine and immediately passed Bachler into third, then closed down the KCMG Mercedes of Kobaysashi and swept past on the opening lap, and chased after leader Krognes’ Aston Martin.
The opening hour of racing was sensational - with a train of six cars battling for the lead, but ultimately the 26 car staying in second after Christodolou’s brilliant stint, as Kyle Tilley took aver for his run.
As often is the case with the NLS series with over 130 cars on track in several classes, incidents were aplenty and Tilley’s stint was constantly disrupted by caution periods, nevertheless a smooth and quick stint gave Hill and excellent change of a strong result as he took over.
Quickly getting to grips with the car, Hill was battling hard with the Black Falcon Porsche of Tobias Muller and Gamota Racing’s BMW M4 of David Jahn for the ProAm lead, with traffic and caution periods also affecting the battle, but Hill lapping strongly late on battled hard to a superb Second place in ProAm and fourth overall in GT3 or SP9 class.
“Absolutely loved that. The car was brilliant and we were really looking good for challenging for the ProAm win but just got unlucky with traffic, but well done to the Black Falcon folks and most importantly a massive ‘Thank You’ to Kyle Tilley for having me as part of his line-up, and for Adam for his help and doing a brilliant job all weekend, plus of course the entire ProSport squad”
Hill is hopeful of more outings in NLS, but for now will focus on returning to the Nurburgring on 3-5th July for the next Michelin 24H Series event with Era Motorsport, back in the Ferrari 296GT3 Evo.
“This time on the GP Circuit, but confident we can build on our excellent showing at ‘Ricard and challenge again at the front. Really looking forward to getting back out there”
