Challenging weekend for Jake Hill at Croft
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport faced a challenging weekend at the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as Jake Hill contended with his hybrid handicap and on-track collisions to leave Croft Circuit second in the Drivers' Championship standings.
With grey skies and a brief rain shower setting the tone, Jake finished the free practice sessions in 6th and 9th place, respectively. Despite being limited to just 1 second per lap of hybrid in qualifying—the least of any driver—Hill was poised to advance to the final stage. However, his fastest lap in the second phase was disqualified for exceeding track limits, relegating him to an 11th-place start for Race 1.
Race 1:
In the opening race, starting from 11th on the soft tyre compound, Jake made a rapid start, quickly climbing the ranks. He secured a vital sixth-place finish, earning essential championship points and a 6th place start for Race 2.
Race 2:
In Race 2, now on the hard tyre compound and surrounded by rivals on the softer compound, Jake struggled as his competitors took advantage. He slipped to 9th but fought back fiercely. However, on lap nine, a collision with Tom Chilton at the 'Sunny Out' corner sent Hill into the barriers. Despite continuing, he finished 16th, just outside the points.
Race 3:
For the final race, starting from 16th on the soft tyres, Jake delivered a stunning performance. He charged through the field, showcasing his speed and racecraft to finish 5th, salvaging good points for his championship bid.
Reflecting on the weekend, Jake commented, "Ultimately, a frustrating weekend for myself and the team at Croft. From having our lap time deleted in qualifying to being sent into the barriers by a competitor—it felt like the odds were stacked against us all weekend.
"I can't fault the efforts of the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport team and WSR. The car felt mega all weekend, and they worked their socks off to ensure we got everything out of every session on track. Unfortunately, we just had no luck, and factors outside our control played a big role in our results this weekend. That's racing sometimes; we have to take the bad with the good and come back fighting at Knockhill. It's a circuit I love, and we have a great record there, so we'll be heading there with maximum attack and aiming to reclaim that championship lead."
Jake Hill now sits second in the BTCC Drivers' Championship standings with 232 points, 21 points behind leader Tom Ingram. The BTCC resumes in two weeks at Knockhill on August 10-11.
