SO PRIOR TO JAKE’S BTCC DEBUT WITH RCIB INSURANCE RACING HERE’S TEN THINGS ABOUT JAKE YOU MAY NOT KNOW…..

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  • Jake learned to drive aged 14 in his Dad’s 1.2 Renault Clio in the local ‘Transfesa’ trading estate in Paddock Wood, Kent.
 
  • Jake went to Angley College in Cranbrook Kent, then college at Tunbridge Wells and they focused on him learning Automotive Engineering…he finished in the top three in his class.
 
  • Jake’s Dad Simon used to be one of the Senior Instructors at the Brands Hatch Racing School from 1990 to 2010…he worked with Mark Webber, Marcus Ambrose and the late great Dan Wheldon.
 
  • Simon also worked with Sam Hignett - boss of Le Mans LMP2 Winners JOTA Sport based in nearby Frant in Kent…Jake did his work experience at JOTA Sport whilst at school….Jake’s ‘mentor’ was JOTA Technician Chris Beadle…..’Beadle’ was Jake’s No.1 at Motorbase in 2013 when he made a winning BTCC debut at Croft.
 
  • Jake’s grandfather was Ronnie Hilton - who was a successful recording artiste in the 1950’s and 60’s…he recorded ‘The Wonder of You’ that was covered by Elvis Presley in 1961, and had a No.1 hit in 1956 but is most famous for ‘A Windmill in Old Amsterdam’ from 1965
 
  • Jake’s team-mate in Karting in 2002 was future Marussia F1 driver and IndyCar driver Max Chilton…Max’s brother Tom was coached by Jake’s Dad Simon prior to his BTCC Debut in 2002…
 
  • Jake was inducted into the British Racing Driver’s Club (BRDC) ‘Rising Stars’ programme in 2010 as a 16 year-old when he was leading the Ginetta Junior Series…Jake is still proudly part of this programme today, and is the longest member of this programme.
 
  • On his NGTC debut in 2013 in the final BTCC meeting at Brands Hatch GP Jake ran second in his first ever run in the Exocet Racing Audi A4…only dropping down the order when others put new tyres on
 
  • Jake not only out qualified his race-winning team-mate Rob Austin that weekend, but Matt Neal, Dave Newsham, Mat Jackson and others…qualifying 10th and finishing all three races in the points…the only time that car had done that all season.
 
  • Jake’s 2002 Renault Clio 172 is called Carla…..!!!!