Jake Hill returns to the track this weekend as the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship returns at Snetterton following its summer break, and Hill will be looking to continue his fine form.

The 22-year-old behind the wheel of the Team Hard Avensis had an excellent first half of the season, consistently scoring points and netting his best ever finish in the BTCC, and he will be looking to continue that in the second half of the campaign.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Hill said: “My first-ever car race in Ginetta Junior was at Snetterton when I was just 14 – since then I have won races in every series I’ve raced there – Juniors, Ginetta G50 and Ginetta G55 – and tested for AmD Tuning in their Ford Focus in 2014, so it’s a track I love and I can’t wait to get back out there”

Hill drew praise for his performances in the first half of the season, scoring points in six races, qualifying in the top ten at Donington, taking the Dunlop #ForeverForward award at Oulton Park for most places gained over the weekend, and top ten finishes at Thruxton, Oulton Park and a career-best sixth at Croft, holding off championship contender Rob Collard for the entire race distance.

“Croft was fantastic, but we’ve been pretty strong everywhere and have been a little unlucky not to have scored more points. I was about a car-length away from winning the Independent’s Trophy at Croft as Andrew Jordan’s gearbox failed on the last lap! The team have done a great job and I am so grateful for all the support we’ve had from all of our investors and of course RCIB Insurance and the other fantastic Team HARD partners. It simply wouldn’t happen without them or Tony (Gilham, RCIB Insurance team principle) believing in me and supporting me as much as everyone has”

Kent-based Hill is also delighted to have former British GT Champion and BTCC regular Michael Caine join the team, stepping into the car driven by Chris Smiley thus far this season.

“Michael is super-quick and vastly experienced. When I made my BTCC debut at Croft in 2013 he was one of my team-mates and was so supportive. We will work closely together to maximise performance from the team and our cars and on a personal level he’s a great guy to have around”

Hill is also keen to thank those who have supported him and made it possible for him to achieve these results so far.

“It’s no secret that we are working flat-out every single race to ensure we have the budget to compete. I am hugely grateful to Tony for making the deal happen – especially thanks to RCIB Insurance and the other team partners. We have also had some amazing people who have stepped in to make it possible, especially when we have had tough times like the damage sustained at Oulton.”

“Also it was incredible to see how many people got behind me with the raffle we ran to get me out again at Oulton. It’s still very tight but we will continue to fight just as hard off track as I do on track to make sure we succeed. And we will succeed” smiled Hill.