| Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship race winner Jake Hill says he full of optimism heading to what he calls his “home” races at Brands Hatch this weekend, where the final three rounds of this year’s competition will be held. |
| The Trade Price Racing Audi S3 driver, who grew up in near Tunbridge Wells, so knows the world-famous venue better than anywhere, is deep in the heart of the battle for rostrum finish in the race for the Independents Trophy, the award for non-factory-backed cars. Hill is optimistic of overhauling just one other rival to seal a sensational top three result in the Independents chase after a successful weekend last time out at Silverstone two weeks ago where he landed three strong points-scoring finishes. “I have my eyes on top-three in the Independents Trophy: that is going to be my goal,” says the 25-year-old. “I managed to get a bit of a gap to those chasing me after Silverstone, so I will now only be looking ahead of me to catch those I am aiming to score more points than. It would be a sensational achievement to sign off the season in that way and I can’t wait to get on the track.” Hill has previous been a podium finisher overall at in his last two BTCC visits to Brands Hatch, and backed that up with his maiden overall win in the BTCC at Knockhill in Scotland in September this year. He says he will use all the advantages that racing on his local track will give him. “For me, coming to Brands Hatch is like welcoming all the other drivers into my back yard,” says Hill. “It is a track where I have had lot of success – including Winning in Masters Historic here with Rob Fenn in May – and it’s a circuit that I know like the back of my hand. “It is like when [the driver of the sister Honda car] Rory Butcher goes to his home track of Knockhill. But, this time it is my house they are coming to. Everyone always says what a drivers’ circuit Brands Hatch Grand Prix is and that is so true. It is one of the most technical and interesting circuits on the calendar. “You have to hit all the kerbs on the fast section around the back of the track just right, and make sure you are brave, but careful at the same time. It is a real balance, and I think there will be some bigger gaps between the cars than usual as drivers get used to it.” Hill says that the Trade Price Racing team has been hard at work refining the set-up of his two-litre turbocharged car ahead of this weekend’s showdown and that has given him real hope ahead of the rounds. “I didn’t race on the Grand Prix circuit in the BTCC last year, which makes me keener than ever to strap myself in and get going,” says Hill. “But my team has worked hard on the suspension and we will be trying something new with the front end of the car which we think will give is a strong edge. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend.” Catch qualifying live on itv.com/btcc at 1500hrs on Saturday 12th, with he 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. |
Picture supplied by PSP Images.