Jake Hill had his first taste of racing for his very varied 2026 season a few weeks ago at the opening round of the Michelin 24H Series with Era Motorsport.
Hill was once again behind the wheel of the sleek Ferrari 296GT3 machine alongside Dwight Merriman and Ryan Dalziel, with Oliver Bryant also joining their squad for a full-season’s campaign this year.
Hill started the 12 Hour race on the Saturday – which would be run over two days, with five and a half hours racing on Saturday and six and a half on Sunday – starting ninth, and as all four drivers put in stellar drives, Ryan Dalziel ended the day fourth overall and second in the Pro-Am class.
Starting fourth on Sunday, Hill made a superb start to lead into turn one, gradually edging away and leading by almost 7 seconds as he pitted for fuel, then handing over the car in 6th place to Merriman.
Merriman, Bryant and later Dalziel kept the #81 machine in striking distance of a Pro-Am class podium and top-four overall, when with less than 90 minutes remaining Dalziel brought the car in for an unscheduled stop, resulting in the car being forced to retire due to suspension issues.
“I love this track, and we had such a great race going on. All four of us were on the pace, the team did a brilliant job with strategy, pit stops, fuel stops and had the car running the best it’s been – so frustrating to be forced to stop early, but we learned a lot and I am sure we will be strong at Spa next time”
Next up for Hill is the Nurburgring NLS on 11th April, where he will drive Sorg-Rennsport’s BMW 330 to complete his Nurburgring Permit laps – a requirement the circuit has for drivers to qualify to race at the legendary 24 Hour race on the iconic 12.94 mile circuit. Hill was entered for the opening race in March, but heavy snow forced the race to be cancelled, meaning Hill returns next week to complete the 8 laps required to qualify for his permit.
“It was great fun in the BMW the other week, just a shame the weather stopped us racing. Looking forward to getting some more laps in – driving around here is special in anything – but this race is for me to qualify for my ‘A’ permit that will enable me to race GT3 cars – so just an event-free race is all that’s required. Thanks so much to the folks at Sorg-Rennsport for their support”
The second round of the Michelin 24H Series takes place at Spa-Francorchamps from 17-19th April, and the same weekend is also the Nurburgring NLS round four, so thanks to the close proximity of the two venues, Hill will take on dual roles, racing at both events over the weekend.
After testing and qualifying at Spa in the Era Motorsport Ferrari from Wednesday to Friday, then will head to Nurburgring to qualify for NLS 4 in the Lionspeed GP’s Porsche 911 GT3 R with Kyle Tilley and Patrick Kolb on Saturday morning, then back to Spa for a stint in the Ferrari, back again to Nurburgring for the final stint in the Evening NLS race, then finally back to Spa for the Sunday part of the race in the Ferrari!
“It’s gonna be frantic but lots of fun, and I am incredibly excited to be racing two of the greatest circuits in two sensational cars, but reckon after all that driving I will sleep VERY well on Sunday night!
Hill is also scheduled to compete in two of the most significant 24 Hour races this year with Lionspeed GP, sharing Kyle Tilley’s Porsche – the Ravenol 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May, and the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa in June, making his debut in both events, something he is relishing.
“I’ve been to the N24 as a spectator and absolutely loved the unique atmosphere. I would expect it to be busier than ever this year thanks to Max Verstappen racing there, but for me it will be so special to be on the grid there. Spa 24H is just amazing, and hopefully we will have this confirmed soon too”
Hill will be racing again in Era Motorsport’s Ferrari in the Michelin 24H Series at Paul Ricard in June, Nurburgring GP Circuit in July, and in Barcelona in September – the latter a 24 Hour race, and may also take in further NLS events with Lionspeed GP and Kyle Tilley.
“Really looking forward to building on what we learned in Mugello, and getting more races in with Lionspeed GP too. We’re confident we will be strong again”
As Summer approaches Hill will also take in some of his favourite events – the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the BRDC Silverstone Classic, both in July, with Hill tackling the famous Goodwood Hill and racing with his friend Colin Sowter at Silverstone, in Colin’s might Nissan GTR GT1 machine, and his 1965 Ford Mustang, plus in Ric Wood’s Nissan Skyline R32.
“Goodwood is like my second home, and this year my GT programme means I can’t attend at Members Meeting or Revival, so I am determined to do FoS. Everyone knows how much I love racing Historics, so I am really pleased we are doing Silverstone again – especially in Colin’s GT1 Nissan – what a special car!”
“This year is such a change from my BTCC programme, so I am absolutely delighted that so many of my personal partners who have been part of my journey, and have helped get me this far are also coming on this new adventure. I can’t thank them enough (in alphabetical order they are) Alders Builders, ABGO Heating Supplies, CMC Civil Engineering, Cofa Civil Engineering, Logicall Wireless Solutions, Parry Street Tech (PST), Scalextric, Superformance, STP and UKVS…..plus a big thanks also to SDS Graphics, Arai Helmets, Freem Racewear, Rennat Design, Harlequin Teamwear, my incredible management team at FSM – Rob and Will – and of course especially to Kyle Tilley and Dwight Merriman from Era Motorsport for giving me this amazing opportunity”
Hill’s races in Michelin 24H and NLS, Goodwood and Silverstone will all be broadcast live on YouTube – so check out social media for details
“What a season ahead. I am very fortunate, and very excited – let’s go!”
Images courtesy of Mika Pietrus, Era Motorsport