In his first BTCC race at Oulton Park, 22 year-old Jake Hill showed why he is part of the BRDC Rising Stars programme.

It was with a storming drive in the final Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race at the picturesque Oulton Park in Cheshire, taking the RCIB Insurance Racing Toyota Avensis from 26th on the grid to a best-ever 9th place.

Qualifying saw the top 22 cars covered by less than one second, with Hill ahead of race winners Mat Jackson and Adam Morgan in 17th place, and electing to use the soft compound Dunlop tyre for the opening race.

Another strong start saw Hill immediately battling with Jeff Smith, passing him and then pulling off strong pass on Aiden Moffat.

After passing Rob Collard, Hill continued fighting with Jack Goff losing out late on but gaining back the place when Ashley Sutton’s MG ran wide, finishing a hard-fought 13th.

“The team have given me a really well-balanced car, the best it’s been all year. Another good start and a strong race so very happy to have scored more points” smiled Jake.

Starting 13th Hill immediately passed Abbott and was holding station into the Island Hairpin when Rob Austin slammed into  the back of Hill, lifting the car clean off the ground, damaging the exhaust and bumper and forcing Hill to pit the No.24 machine for repairs.

Initially the team retired the car, but managed to repair the exhaust and send Hill charging back into the race, gaining a couple of places late on due to others misfortune.

“Great start then that hit from Rob ruined our race – he got given 2 penalty points for that. We should have been in the top ten now we’re 26th so we will just have to charge now!”

A determined opening lap saw Hill cross the line in 18th place – passing car after car  then catching and passing Ollie Jackson and Warren Scott and up to 16th in  just three laps.

When Hill’s team-mate Epps retired he moved into the points positions and soon caught and passed Depper’s Honda so was then closing on the battling pack which comprised everyone from 2nd to 13th place in one long line of battling British Touring Cars.

The final few laps saw Hill running faster than leader Matt Neal and now in the mix, so as Mat Jackson, Dan Lloyd and Aron Smith tangled and Gordon Shedden retired with a puncture Hill was now in the top ten!

Starting the final lap a superbly judged move saw Hill pass Adam Morgan’s Mercedes into Old Hall and then catch the pack, crossing the line almost alongside Andrew Jordan in a remarkable 9th overall, and 3rd Independent Driver!

“Oh my word that was incredible! The car was mega and I had one of those races where everything worked. The pass on Adam at the end was the best part, and I got SO close to passing Jordan on the line.”

“9th is also my best-ever BTCC finish – two more points finishes – but it means so much to have finished on a high after some tough races.”

“A huge thanks to everyone at RCIB Insurance Racing and of course all my partners and supporters – we now go to Croft next which where I made my BTCC debut so can’t wait!”

Rounds 13 – 15 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship from Croft is 19th June and will be shown LIVE on ITV4 with qualifying on 18th June live on itv.com

Pictures supplied by PSP Images.