After taking points in both the opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship meetings so far, BRDC Rising Star Jake Hill is ready for the challenge that is the fast, bumpy and demanding Thruxton circuit in Hampshire, and keen to build on the pace shown in testing there last week.

Hill shot to the top of the times in the first practice session, and was in the mix in the second session too, unlitmately taking 3rd and 7th overall in his TAG Racing VW Passat CC, and feeling very pleased with the progress made on the day.

“We tried some different set-up ideas and I was really pleased with what we found. It’s the first test since before the opening race, and to be in the mix at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar is very encouraging. Of course race weekend is when it matters, but we will go there with some valuable data and a lot of confidence” said Hill.

Hill has delivered superb qualifying performances, but contact at Brands Hatch and a technical infringement at Donington providing huge frustration and masking his true pace.

“It’s so annoying that contact in race one put us out, and being forced to start right at the back at Donington after qualifying 6th meant we were always going to find it tough. To have taken points at both meetings despite these challenges shows that once we get a trouble-free weekend we will be in the mix at the front. I’m confident we’ll be competitive at Thruxton on true pace, so let’s see what we can do” Hill added.

A superb qualifying effort in 2016 led to Hill running comfortably in the top-ten in race one until a multi-car pile-up at the chicane resulted in huge damage to his car and a tough job from there on in. He feels that the Team HARD run VW Passat CC will offer more in 2017.

“Last year we were on for a top-ten or maybe better when Matt Neal had a puncture and caused a huge shunt that I couldn’t avoid. It was so frustrating but it showed we were on the pace, so in this year’s car – a much better proposition – we should be even stronger”

Like everyone in the motorsport community Hill’s thoughts have been with 17 year-old Billy Monger who suffered life-changing injuries in an horrific accident at Donington Park. Hill knows Monger and his family well and will join drivers, fans, marshals and team members in a ‘Walk for Billy’  to raise funds for him at Thruxton on Saturday 6th May at 6.30pm

“I have known Billy since he was in Ginetta Junior and like everyone have been devastated for him and his lovely family. It’s been remarkable the level of love and support shown for him, and it’s great that everyone will get together and show their collective support at Thruxton. Everyone I know has #BillyWhizz stickers on their cars and helmets – including me of course – and even F1 stars are behind him. We will all keep on supporting him on his road to recovery – he’s a really amazing lad – and he’s really loved.”

Qualifying for BTCC is LIVE on itv.com/btcc at 4pm on Sat. 6th May, with all three races LIVE on Sunday 7th on ITV4 with races  at 12.15pm,  2.15pm and at 5.15pm

Pictures supplied by PSP Images