Tunbridge Wells race ace Jake Hill is back in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for 2019 and he couldn’t be more delighted.
After an up and down 2018 season which saw him finished second at Brands Hatch, but also only compete in part of the campaign, he is looking forward to a fresh lease of life in 2019.
Speaking to Kent Sports News about being back in the BTCC, Jake said: “Thrilled, can’t wait to have a fresh start with a new name and face in the BTCC with Trade Price cars racing and AmD Tuning, this is going to be awesome and can’t wait to jump in the S3.”
Hill will be driving a familiar car, and after he left Team Hard last season he tested for AmD and conversations about 2019 drives started from there.
He added: “The move came about at Silverstone last year, where myself and Shaun Hollamby started talking and discussed how I could join AmD tuning for 2019, that’s where the conversation for Trade Price Cars began and I am thrilled it has come off and I’m back in the BTCC!”
Jake is excited to get behind the wheel of the Audi again and see what he can achieve in 2019, with plenty of testing to come before now and the curtain raiser in April.
“Yes of course, I have driven the S3 before for AmD in 2015 but now for sure it is a totally difference animal and we still have a lot to learn to get it up the pointy end regularly.”
Unfortunately for Hill he had to sit out much of the season in the end, having left Team Hard part way through the campaign.
He said: “Frustrating not so much, upsetting more so. We had hoped for so much but the performance was just not there, and we were totally lost in which direction the car was going and it only seemed to get worst not better, but moving on and Moving forward I can’t wait to get back home with AmD and now Trade Price Cars for a great 2019.”
The highlight of the 2018 season for Jake was the independent team race win at Brands Hatch, and the overall podium finish.
He added: “Yes for sure, getting that P2 from P25 was an incredible race and feeling and was well worth the risk in this case with slicks in the wet but so happy it came off and a race I’ll never forget.”
Next season it is quite clear that Jake is looking to be back on the podium on a regular basis and challenging the front runners.
“Of course or else what am I doing this for? I am here to win, it hasn’t happened yet but I am more determined than ever to make this right and make this work so we can see an Audi win a race for the first time in a long time.”
Finally, we asked Jake if he thought the series would be the most competitive yet with new teams and drivers arriving on the grid for 2019.
He said: “Not sure it can be more competitive, but yes for sure it’s a mix up of drivers, teams and cars but I’m sure the 2019 BTCC season will NOT disappoint.”
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