Jake Hill begins his first full season in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship this weekend at Brands Hatch.

Having competed in a few rounds across the last few seasons, Hill is no stranger to the BTCC and his army of fans will be delighted to see him back for a full season.

The BRDC Rising Star will be piloting a Team Hard Toyota Avensis in 2016 with RCIB Insurance and he can’t wait to get going this weekend.

Speaking to Kent Sports News, Jake said: “It is brilliant, I haven’t had a full season of racing now since 2011 in G50s. I love British Touring Cars and as you know I have done three rounds so far, over two years really and to have a full year is just what I need and just what I want.

“The car is going really well and we are here testing at Brands today and hopefully we can get some good mileage for next week.”

Jake was at media day and was out on track at Donington and for most of the session he was running in the top ten, which shows that he has a natural pace in any car, as that was his first run in the Avensis.

He added: “I think the older suspension that we are running, everyone knows it and at least for the first half of the year, I think we are going to be a lot quicker than we probably will be in the last half.

“It is time to surprise a few people, it is our opportunity to do well and grab some good points. I think we can consistently be in the top ten and that’s it, I just want to bag three solid races at Brands, with three solid results. Hopefully we can get into the top five, and have a really good third race.”

Despite only having one test session other than media day ahead of the season opener, it isn’t too much of a concern, with Jake knowing his local circuit really well.

“The test that we had at media day, and then here at Brands are on two completely different tracks and ultimately that has helped me set-up wise. Although we have only had those two days, it has helped me learn a lot about the car because they are two completely different tracks.

“One was a slow track and one a fast track, so that I can see how the car reacts and what it likes, so far I am over the moon with it. Although it is not much running that we are going to get before the first round, I think we are going to be alright come FP1 and qualifying on Saturday.”

So far Jake has run in a Focus, and Audi and now he is behind the wheel of the NGTC Avensis, a car that he has been impressed with so far.

He said: “It is the best NGTC car that I have driven, it is really pleasant to drive to be honest, it is really easy to drive compared to the Audi’s both the A4 and the S3. I am getting on with the team really well and getting on with the car really well, and I feel at home with it. I couldn’t be happier so far.

Working with Team Hard and Tony Gilham means that Jake can call on Tony for advice and assistance at any point during the match.

“Tony has been around the British Touring Cars a long time, as a team principal he is on it and he knows what he is doing, he leaves the car and the mechanics to it, and us to make our own decisions.

“He doesn’t get too involved with car decisions, and I think that is a good thing to be honest as I want to work with my mechanics. Ultimately he is a good person to have around.”

Jake is looking for three solid finishes at Brands Hatch this weekend, which would give him a solid platform going forwards for the rest of the season.

He said: “It is really about finding my way back in, I just want to surprise a few people and have some really good races to be honest.

“There is no real target, I would just love to consistently be top ten really because that is where you are in with the works teams and drivers, and some of the best drivers in Europe and in the World, touring car drivers especially.

“It is a massive grid, and it is the first time we have had 32 cars in a very long time, and it is good for British motorsport and it is great for the BTCC. It is great for everyone who is driving in it this year. I am very happy and privileged to be doing it this year and I am not taking any of it for granted, that’s the big thing and I am just loving my time in it so far.”

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