BRDC rising star Jake Hill will make his debut Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) appearance with the Addison Lee Motorbase squad this weekend.
Hill will get behind the wheel for Motorbase as the championship gets underway once more for round five at Croft circuit this coming weekend (June 22/23).
Kent-based Hill – who has previously raced in the Ginetta Junior and GT Supercup TOCA support series– will replace Jack Sears Trophy challenger and Addison Lee boss Liam Griffin who is absent for the fifth round of the campaign, due to unavoidable business commitments.
The 19 year olds debut with the Motorbase-run outfit marks the continuation of Team Principal David Bartrum’s on-going support of young British motor racing talent and follows on from a successful Brands Hatch test in the Mountune-powered Ford Focus S2000 at the end of 2012.
Bartrum commented: “Jake tested with us at the end of last season along with another local lad, Tom Grainger. The whole idea of the test was to give two Kent-based youngsters the opportunity to sample the S2000 touring car and for us to offer two developing young talents the experience and chance to raise their profile. When the opportunity came up through Liam and Addison Lee to put a replacement driver in the car for Croft we thought we would give Jake the chance in the car as he was very capable and knows the TOCA package quite well.”
Jake’s talent has attracted praise and recognition from many as he has progressed through the ranks of the TOCA support package, with support from the likes of his former Team Boss; Mike Flounders – Team Principal at Tollbar Racing, who commented: “I’m very pleased to see Jake moving on. It’s great for a young man that started with us at the age of fifteen to be making the move into touring cars and we wish him the very best of luck.”
As with Griffin, Jake will be racing in the newly-formed Jack Sears Trophy, competing against the other Super 2000 machines in his distinctive black #9 Ford Focus ST where he is hoping to make an impressive introduction to the illustrious BTCC grid.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity that David [Bartrum] has kindly given me the chance to have another run in the car, and this time in an actual race. I can’t describe how thankful I am to Liam and everyone at Addison Lee Motorbase for letting me have this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it and do the best job I possibly can at the weekend.”
Hill added: “I’ve spent my whole racing career watching the touring cars, so too finally to be on the same grid as them is like a dream come true. As long as I get my head around the car; I’m confident that I can put in a good challenge and my aim is to win at least one Jack Sears Trophy this weekend. I can’t wait!”
Round 5 of the 2013 season takes place at Croft circuit on June 22/23. Live coverage of Sunday’s three races will be shown on ITV4, itv.com and also in HD from 11.00am – 6pm, with itv.com featuring live streaming online of Saturdays qualifying session between 3.10 and 3.40pm.
Pictures supplied by PSP Images.