As the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship heads to arguably the most picturesque circuit in the schedule, the spectacular sweeps of Oulton Park near Chester.

26 year-old MB Motorsport driver Jake Hill is determined to have a solid weekend at the circuit where he ‘won’ his first BTCC race last year.

“After Brands GP this has to be my next favourite circuit. Last year I had Pole Position for race three, led a BTCC race for the first time, crossed the line first, but as most people know I had made contact with Matt Neal so was penalised and lost the win.

“Fortunately I won for real a few weeks later at Knockhill, and 2020 was promising more wins and a potential championship challenge. Frustratingly for me, the team and all my partners we have had three engine failures and two other issues in the six races so far, so points-wise we are way off the pace.

“What isn’t in doubt though is the pace of the car – and I guess in me. We were rapid in pre-season testing, we topped both practice sessions at Brands, and have qualified in the top-ten for both races so far. Brands was a career-best qualifying in 4th, just 0.055 off Pole Position, so assuming the reliability issues are behind us then we should be in a very strong position here.

Hill and his girlfriend Hannah and Dad Simon will also have an adventure of a different kind for the first time this weekend – a weekend using a Bailey Motorhome, provided as a result of a partnership with the Caravan & Motorhome Club of Great Britain.

“Should be fun! We’ve never stayed in a motorhome at a race meeting before, so this will be a great new experience for all of us. It will be lovely just wandering across the paddock to get ‘home’ and then able to chill and hopefully have a BBQ if the weather’s good. Hugely grateful to C&MCGB for their support and for the loan of the Bailey Alliance – watch my social media for updates!

Also stepping in to further support Hill at Brands, and continuing to do so at Oulton Park is Bill Rawles Classic Cars. Long-time supporters of Hill, the Four Marks based family run experts in Classic Car restoration and builds were keen to be involved further.

“We’ve known Jake since he coached Jack in Ginetta Juniors, and have been close friends and supporters ever since. Our logo has been on his BTCC suit and helmet since 2016, and it’s fantastic seeing him so competitive, and seeing our logo looking great on TV! I’m sure luck will change, and he’ll be back on the podium very soon” said BRCC MD Bill Rawles.

Image courtesy of Jakob Ebrey