Jake Hill hit the ground running at media day in his RCIB Insurance Racing and Team Hard run Toyota Avensis.

At the end of the day, Hill said he was ‘really, really happy’ with his first day driving the 2016 Avensis BTCC machine at the series’ Media Day at Donington Park.

Hill completed 65 laps in the No.24 machine, running in the top-ten for most of the day, ultimately finishing a very promising 14th of the 32-car field ,recording a time of 1.10.803, a time Hill was confident he would have improved on had the session not been stopped.

Speaking after testing, he said: “We had a very minor issue which was resolved very quickly this morning, but other than that have had such a great ‘shakedown’. It’s the first time the car has turned a wheel, a new group of guys working together and of course the first time I’d ever driven the car, and driven Donington competitively since 2011.

“The guys have worked so hard and to run cleanly AND quickly is such a testament to their efforts, looking at the data we think a time around 1.10.40 was likely which would have put us in the top six. I am testing again this Friday (25th) at Brands Hatch so can’t wait!”

The dramatic looking Avensis with its RCIB Insurance livery and distinctive Team HARD green and pink created a striking image running alongside its rivals for the first time, with Hill entertaining guests and chatting with media including ITV4 who will show all 30 BTCC races live in 2016.

He added: “We had some guests along who really enjoyed the day and who look like they may get involved so it was great to share the excitement of the coming season with them. I am so looking forward to the opening meeting at Brands Hatch on 2nd and 3rd April, and to coming back here to Donington later that month. I still can’t believe I will complete my first full BTCC season, but today has made it all seem real, and has filled me and the whole team with lots of optimism and excitement for 2016”

Images courtesy of  www.psp-images.co.uk