Racing for the first time since the final BTCC meeting last October, BRDC ‘Superstar’ Jake Hill enjoyed a busy weekend racing in the ‘Thruxton Thriller’ event organised by the Classic & Sports Car Club (CSCC). 

Racing as Racetruck’s Brand Ambassador Hill took Pole Positions, Class Wins and Fastest laps in two very different kinds of VW Golf!

Invited by Racetruck’s Ian Knight and also Ramair’s Jamie Sturges, Hill drove alongside Sturges in his TCR VW Golf, running to similar specification to cars racing in the World Touring Car Championship, the pair sharing the driving in the ‘Slicks Series’ event on Saturday, where Hill took the Racetruck & Ramair supported machine to a superb Pole Position.

Starting the  40 minute race – now in the pouring rain – and pulling out a lead of over 11 seconds Hill set fastest lap, before handing over to Sturges mid-race. By now the rear wet-weather tyres were badly worn, and as the weather worsened, Sturges dropped to second in class and fourth overall.

“The car is superb – so well engineered. Really enjoyed the experience, and learned a few new lines around here in the wet, so that could come in very useful! Nice to start the year with a Pole and Fastest Lap plus a podium. Huge thanks to Jamie for trusting me!”

Racing the the ‘Open Series’ later in the day, this time Hill joined Dave Hickton in the Racetruck 1983 VW Golf GTi MK2, christened ‘Gordon the Golf’er’ by the team!

Hill qualified the car a superb 11th overall – on a varied grid of 43 cars – and first in class, with both Hill and Hickton each racing in a 20 minute race later in the day.

Hickton raced first, having a frantic battle but a grassy excursion meant dropping to 24th place, which would be where Hill would start ‘Gordon’ as it would be based on finishing positions.

Hill headed to the grid on a wet track – so as with the earlier race would be driving the car for the first time in the rain. Unfazed the 26 year-old from Kent got a superb start and in a spectacular opening lap had made up 10 places!

Hurling the 1800cc car around with superb confidence, Hill quickly worked his way up to 5th overall, then sliced past Malone’s BMW M3 into fourth, and for several laps was battling with Jones in his  350bhp Seat Leon TCR car for an overall podium, narrowly missing out, but taking a dominant class win and fastest lap.

“That was SO much fun! Just got stuck in and ‘sent it’ ..bit frustrated I couldn’t quite get onto the overall podium, but ‘Gordon’ was a little legend – thanks to Dave and of course Ian from Racetruck for having me on board”

Check out ‘CSCC Thruxton’ on YouTube and see the video of the race and enjoy some spectacularly sideways moments;

https://youtu.be/1zZlgFt33cs

With ‘Gordon’ refreshed overnight, this time Hill and Hickton raced in the ‘Future Classics’ event, again with a large and varied field of 33 cars, with Hill taking 11th overall and 2nd in class in qualifying.

Hill started the 40 minute race and had another superb opening lap, making his way into the class lead and up to 7th overall.

Battling hard with several more powerful cars, Hill gained another place and as the pit stops began briefly held the overall lead.

Handing to Hickton, the Pole sitting Vauxhall Astra eventually edged ahead in class, with the pair enjoying a run to 8th overall and 2nd in class.

“Again loads of fun! Had some good battles and Dave did a mega job – shame it wasn’t wet again – but we were giving away 300bhp to the leaders so to finish where we did was great. I have loved the feeling of actually racing again. Like lots of drivers I have done the SIM racing thing, but it’s not like the real thing. Since the circuits re-opened I have been lucky to have driven a Porsche 718 GT4, a 2001 Le Mans Lola LMP2 Car, a 1965 Mini, a Lotus Cortina, a 350BHP Lotus Exige and even a Ginetta Junior – plus the cars this weekend – so I am absolutely ready for BTCC now!

“I am so looking forward to Donington next week and the start of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in my MB Motorsport Honda Civic Type-R, we have had a strong pre-season test programme, and I am very confident in the team. Massive thanks to all of the team’s and my personal partners for their amazing support…now let’s go BTCC racing! smiled Hill.