Double Victory Weekend at Snetterton for Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and Jake Hill had a stellar weekend at Snetterton, nabbing pole position and securing a double race win, erasing the bitter memories of Brands Hatch. This high-scoring weekend keeps Jake in fourth place in the Drivers' Championship, slashing his deficit from 36 points to just 11.
Determined to make a statement, Jake, along with engineer Craig Porley and the #24 WSR crew, dominated Saturday's free practice sessions, finishing P1 and P3. In a commanding qualifying run, Jake topped all three of the new-style qualifying groups, clinching his third BTCC career pole and his first with Laser Tools Racing.
Sunday brought tricky weather, demanding sharp tyre strategies. Jake started strong in a wet Race 1, controlling the race from the green light to the chequered flag for his first 2024 BTCC victory.
Race 2 saw drama on the start-line with Jake and WSR driver Bobby Thompson hit with a ten-second jump-start penalty. This could have been a real problem, but undeterred, the Laser Tools Racing man got his head down to try and extend his lead, with the rest of the field on a mix of wet and slick tyres as the rain continued to play games with the competitors.
Having extended his lead to seven seconds by the midway point, against all odds, Jake had his sights set on a memorable victory. Despite the mid-race rain and a fierce challenge from Andrew Watson and Dan Cammish, Jake's blistering pace ensured a comfortable victory, even after the penalty, finishing 16.260 seconds ahead!
A mixed grid and tyre selections was once again the order of the day ahead of the final race of the day where Jake lined the grid in ninth position. Although he was on “wet” tyres, a lightning start and some absolutely stunning passes saw him take the lead by the end of the first lap. However. with a rapidly drying track creating a tactical tyre battle, Jake held the lead into lap nine before the slick-tyred competitors took over. He fought valiantly, ultimately finishing P9, adding crucial points.
Snetterton's success catapulted Jake and the team back into the championship race, collecting 51 points. Heading to Thruxton, Jake is fourth in the standings, just 11 points shy of the leader.
Jake Hill was a very happy man: “What can I say really? It’s been an unbelievable weekend here at Snetterton — made even better by how the team and I have bounced back from Brands. My BMW has been on the button from the first time we rolled out the pitlane and I owe so much to Craig and my #24 WSR car crew for that. I am proud of how I have performed too — that drive in Race 2 was, I think, probably the best and most professional race of my life.
“To get my first pole position in the iconic Laser Tools Racing colours, to collect two victories and to put ourselves well and truly back in the fight is everything I could have asked for this weekend. I’ve had such amazing support around me this week both on and off the track and I can’t thank everyone involved enough.”
