Jake Hill must be getting quite a liking for the iconic Nurburgring as he was on the podium again there at the weekend. Taking a second place in the ProAM class at the ‘Nurburgring NLS 6’.
Hill this time joined Kyle Tilley and former N24 Winner Adam Christodolou in the ProSport Racing GMBH Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo, the first time Hill and Tilley had driven an AMG, the pair driving in Friday’s free practice to learn the car.
Qualifying on Saturday morning saw ‘Christo’ set a strong benchmark time, before Tilley took to the track and again improved, with Hill then on board for the final part of the 90 minute session.
As the session unfolded, Hill began to improve, setting a 7m 58.214 before a stunning final lap of 7m 57.614 to take ProAm Pole Position and fourth overall – just 0.352 from second overall, and ahead of Le Mans 24 Hours winner Kamui Kobayashi and Le Mans runner-up Robin Frijns.
“That was intense! The car is just fantastic – so predictable and confidence inspiring – incredible job by the crew at ProSport and my team-mates”
Christodolou started the distinctive Bilstein sponsored yellow and blue No.26 machine and immediately passed Bachler into third, then closed down the KCMG Mercedes of Kobaysashi and swept past on the opening lap, and chased after leader Krognes’ Aston Martin.
The opening hour of racing was sensational – with a train of six cars battling for the lead, but ultimately the 26 car staying in second after Christodolou’s brilliant stint, as Kyle Tilley took aver for his run.
As often is the case with the NLS series with over 130 cars on track in several classes, incidents were aplenty and Tilley’s stint was constantly disrupted by caution periods, nevertheless a smooth and quick stint gave Hill and excellent change of a strong result as he took over.
Quickly getting to grips with the car, Hill was battling hard with the Black Falcon Porsche of Tobias Muller and Gamota Racing’s BMW M4 of David Jahn for the ProAm lead, with traffic and caution periods also affecting the battle, but Hill lapping strongly late on battled hard to a superb Second place in ProAm and fourth overall in GT3 or SP9 class.
“Absolutely loved that. The car was brilliant and we were really looking good for challenging for the ProAm win but just got unlucky with traffic, but well done to the Black Falcon folks and most importantly a massive ‘Thank You’ to Kyle Tilley for having me as part of his line-up, and for Adam for his help and doing a brilliant job all weekend, plus of course the entire ProSport squad”
Hill is hopeful of more outings in NLS, but for now will focus on returning to the Nurburgring on 3-5th July for the next Michelin 24H Series event with Era Motorsport, back in the Ferrari 296GT3 Evo.
“This time on the GP Circuit, but confident we can build on our excellent showing at ‘Ricard and challenge again at the front. Really looking forward to getting back out there”