The latest round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship hits the track this weekend and for Jake Hill it means a return to his home circuit.
He heads to the circuit in good form and looking to fight for the podium places in front of his own fans.
‘My home circuit, and my favourite track, always fantastic to race here’ exclaimed 27 year-old BRDC ‘Superstar’ Jake Hill, as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car heads to Brands Hatch in Kent, the scene of the series first-ever race in 1958, and also Hill’s team, Motorbase Performance’s local track, based just a few miles away in Wrotham.
“I’ve literally grown up here! My Dad (Simon) used to work as an Instructor at the Racing School at Brands, so when I was little I would go along with him at weekends. I’d get rides around the circuit, and then just hang out with all his friends, loving being there. I took my ‘ARDS’ test there, and had my first podium in 2018 in BTCC there. I’ve been an Instructor at the Racing School too, and I’ve lived in Kent all my life, my girlfriend Hannah and me have our first house together near Maidstone, so this is always special, it never loses its appeal.
Hill’s MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square Ford Focus ST has been strong at both Thruxton and Snetterton, and he comes to Brands Hatch 5th in the Championship having scored points in five of the six races so far, including a superb triple podium at the opening weekend.
“My first run in the Focus was at Brands back in March, and immediately I felt at home in the car, and even now I’m still learning some of the finer details of getting the best out of me and the car together. Thruxton and Snetterton are so different – so were the conditions – plus we had 75kgs of ballast for qualifying and race one at Snetterton, so to come here with ‘only’ 39kgs and at a track I am so confident at I feel we should be in good shape.
Both Hill and his MB Motorsport team-mate Ollie Jackson have taken Podiums and lie 5th and 9th in the Driver’s Championship, with Motorbase/MB sitting second in the Manufacturers Constructors series, and MB Motorsport third in the teams series.
“Ollie and me get on really well and are working well together. I feel we make a really strong team, on and off track, and I’m really enjoying the environment so much. I’m sure we will be in the mix all weekend, the aim is for us both to qualify well and get solid points in all three races. More Podiums would be nice of course, and it looks like the weather could be mixed – whatever it is I feel very confident we’ll be OK.
Images courtesy of PSP Images