Heavy rain during the final qualifying session of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch, saw local star Jake Hill splash his way to a season-best 6th overall on the grid.
Hill's Trade Price Cars Racing Audi S3 had shown great pace in the second of the day's practice sessions, narrowly missing out on setting the fastest time, ending up P2 and fastest Independent Category driver.
"Both practice sessions were really tricky, and we worked through a number of changes, ultimately getting a strong balance in FP2 and getting our timing right when the track was at it's quickest.
As qualifying began, the rain began falling constantly, leaving all 30 runners in no doubt that the Dunlop Sport Maxx Blu wet-weather tyres were the correct choice.
Hill's first run saw him just into the top ten, before Red Flags stopped the session when Simpson went off.
At the re-start a set-up change and another pair of new front tyres saw Hill on a superb lap, crossing the line to record a 1.41.913 to go P5 overall, and P1 in the Independent Category.
"Wow that was a wild lap! Hanging on everywhere, the car was fantastic and I'm delighted to have been in the mix and finish the year on a high in terms of qualifying.
Frustratingly for Hill AmD Tuning stablemate Rory Butcher put in a strong late-lap and pipped him as fastest Independent as he went P5 on the very last lap of the session.
"Both Rory and me have important goals this weekend - he is leading the Jack Sears Trophy and second in the Independent Category, and is pushing to beat Oliphant and Cook respectively, I am trying to overhaul Chilton for P3 in Independent Category, so I am sure we will 'play nice' smiled Hill.
"It's been a fantastic year whatever happens, a podium in my first race with the team here in April, then my first Win at Knockhill, and points scoring regularly - huge thanks to Trade Price Cars Racing, AmD Tuning.com and all of our amazing partners, plus of course the incredible BTCC fans, the officials, marshals and everyone in the TOCA paddock. Loved it, bring on Sunday!
All three BTCC races from Brands Hatch will be shown live on ITV4 on Sunday 13th. The opening clash is due to start at 1135hrs. Race two kicks off at 1410hrs, while the finale gets going at 1700hrs.
Hill's Trade Price Cars Racing Audi S3 had shown great pace in the second of the day's practice sessions, narrowly missing out on setting the fastest time, ending up P2 and fastest Independent Category driver.
"Both practice sessions were really tricky, and we worked through a number of changes, ultimately getting a strong balance in FP2 and getting our timing right when the track was at it's quickest.
As qualifying began, the rain began falling constantly, leaving all 30 runners in no doubt that the Dunlop Sport Maxx Blu wet-weather tyres were the correct choice.
Hill's first run saw him just into the top ten, before Red Flags stopped the session when Simpson went off.
At the re-start a set-up change and another pair of new front tyres saw Hill on a superb lap, crossing the line to record a 1.41.913 to go P5 overall, and P1 in the Independent Category.
"Wow that was a wild lap! Hanging on everywhere, the car was fantastic and I'm delighted to have been in the mix and finish the year on a high in terms of qualifying.
Frustratingly for Hill AmD Tuning stablemate Rory Butcher put in a strong late-lap and pipped him as fastest Independent as he went P5 on the very last lap of the session.
"Both Rory and me have important goals this weekend - he is leading the Jack Sears Trophy and second in the Independent Category, and is pushing to beat Oliphant and Cook respectively, I am trying to overhaul Chilton for P3 in Independent Category, so I am sure we will 'play nice' smiled Hill.
"It's been a fantastic year whatever happens, a podium in my first race with the team here in April, then my first Win at Knockhill, and points scoring regularly - huge thanks to Trade Price Cars Racing, AmD Tuning.com and all of our amazing partners, plus of course the incredible BTCC fans, the officials, marshals and everyone in the TOCA paddock. Loved it, bring on Sunday!
All three BTCC races from Brands Hatch will be shown live on ITV4 on Sunday 13th. The opening clash is due to start at 1135hrs. Race two kicks off at 1410hrs, while the finale gets going at 1700hrs.
