Racing together for the first time, and racing at Paul Ricard for the first time in the ultra competitive Masters Historic Gentlemen Drivers series, Kent-based Rob Fenn and Jake Hill took a stunning victory driving their Lotus Elan 26R at the opening meeting of the Masters Historic series at the home of the French Grand Prix.
After taking Pole Position in the Pre 66 Touring Car Series, Hill had a fantastic battle with the faster Ford Falcons of Jason Minshaw and Julian Thomas, handed over to Fenn mid-race only for engine issues to force retirement when running second.
Shrugging off this disappointment, Fenn started the Gentlemen Drivers race in seventh, and drove a superb opening stint, lapping quickly and competitively to fight with their class rivals.
A slick stop by the John Danby Racing (JDR) crew saw Hill back out quickly, and immediately was fighting with class rival Ron Maydon, passing the Ginetta and then closing on Aaron Head, when Head retired, the JDR drivers took the lead.
A smooth and controlled drive saw 25 year-old Hill bring take a hard-earned victory on the Fenn-Hill debut together.
“Wow! What a race. Rob did such a fantastic job to hand over the car to me in such a strong position to challenge for a podium. Then I passed (Ron) Maydon and (Aaron) Head had a problem, so I was leading and able to bring it home. I cannot thank David and Rob Fenn enough for believing in me enough to get me on board – and of course the job that JDR have done. We had a clutch failure in qualifying so they had a lot of work to just get us out. I absolutely love driving this car and in this series…more of the same at our home track Brands Hatch in May!’ smiled Hill.
“The boys were superb’ said team principle John Danby “I cannot tell you how impressed I am with them both – in my opinion they are one of the strongest pairing in the series. So pleased for them, they drove brilliantly’