WIRED Blog

In his first ever race meeting in a 300bhp Ginetta G50 GT car, BRDC Rising Star Jake Hill continued his unbroken run of Podium appearances with the 13th consecutive race weekend whereby the 17 year-old took home some silverware.

This run of success stretches back to Jake’s debut race victory in June 2009 in Ginetta Junior at Croft, while Hill’s latest success came in race two of the three Ginetta GT Supercup races. Jake was making his debut in the series racing for Optimum Motorsport as part of the package of support races at the opening meeting of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch and started the weekend superbly by setting the fastest time of the competitors in the G50 class in Practice.

The GT Supercup features a mixture of the new 370bhp Ginetta G55 and the 2008 Racing Car of the Year the 300bhp Ginetta G50, and saw Hill qualify 3rd in class and enjoy a fierce scrap with former Ginetta Junior rivals Tom Ingram and Aaron Williamson. Frustratingly for Hill though a tap from behind from the more powerful G55 of Jordan Skinner forced him wide at Paddock Bend and then the pair tangled at Druids Hairpin forcing them both into retirement. Jake said;

“I was really happy to be fastest in practice but wasn’t able to get the best out of my tyres in qualifying so third was a good result. I stalled at the start of race one so had to really fight through – it was all ok until I collided with Skinner. Roll on race two!

Race two on Saturday saw Hill make a superb start from the back of the grid and fight his way past several cars, eventually catching Rob Gaffney in a battle for 3rd, and when Gaffney was forced wide by 2009 G50 Champion Nathan Freke who was in a G55, Hill closed in himself. In a bold move at Paddock Bend his muscled past and began closing on Richardson and Ingram, eventually taking a hard-earned third place.

“That was better! I was alongside and Rob clearly didn’t see me and turned in so we made contact and he spun. The officials said it was a racing accident – I’m really pleased to have got on the podium in my first ever G50 meeting” smiled Jake.

In Sunday’s televised race shown live to almost 1 million viewers in ITV4, Hill made a superb start and was closing in on Tom Ingram for the lead of the G50 class. Ingram’s team-mate Alastair James in a G55 was behind but lapping slower than Hill, despite running in the more powerful machine. In a clumsy move at Druids Hairpin James clattered into the back of Hill, spinning him instantly before an unsighted Adam Morgan slammed into the stationary car causing massive damage to both cars –
Whilst James was subsequently given penalty points on his licence for Dangerous Driving and Hill was left with the prospect of his season being over already.

“I’m so grateful for MMC Broking, Enghouse, Sportif, Thunder Toffee Vodka , A1 Shinty, and John Haffenden and Wired Energy for getting me out – Optimum have been brilliant – but now I just don’t know if we’ll be able to get out again after the damage caused”

‘Incredible!’ was the immediate reaction from 16 year-old Goudhurst-based racing driver Jake Hill after his first ever taste of the 3.5 litre V6 engined Ginetta G50 GT car at a damp and greasy Silverstone last Wednesday.

Ginetta cars were putting some miles on the 2011 version of the ultra-successful G50, so Hill, who has thus far only ever raced a Ginetta Junior, was offered the chance of some laps in order to gain some vital experience prior to his 2011 campaign

“I couldn’t believe how quick it was!” Jake beamed. “It’s got three times the power of the Ginetta Junior I’m used to, loads more grip with the aerodynamics and massive Michelin tyres – the brakes are superb – more like a single-seater than a Sportscar – it’s just a shame it was damp. That combined with the fact that the track has been resurfaced meant it was pretty hard to judge how much grip I had. I had a couple of moments and one spin but got quicker every lap and just wanna race one now!”

Hill hopes to take part in the Ginetta GT Supercup this season, which sees the G50 and the new G55 versions racing on the British Touring Car Championship bill, but as with both 2009 and 2010 it is proving a struggle to raise the necessary funding.

“I have been really grateful for all the support I’ve had so far, I wouldn’t have been racing at all if it wasn’t for lots of people getting behind me. I’ve done pretty well in the past two years – 13 Wins and 13 Poles for example – but obviously G50’s are a big step up and it is a bigger budget so I’m just hopeful we can pick up enough support to get out there, cos I’m confident I can be pretty competitive” Hill added.

The British Touring Car Championship package kicks off at Brands Hatch on the 2nd & 3rd April so time is getting tight for Hill to get a deal together.

A number of top-teams in both the Ginetta GT Supercup, and the British GT and International GT4 Endurance series have expressed their interest in British Racing Driver’s Club ‘Rising Star’ Hill, hence he is hopeful a deal will come to fruition.

“It’s been nice that lot’s of people seem keen to have me on board. I really desperately want to be out there. My Dad and me are doing all we can to get something sorted and won’t give up trying. I’m training like mad at my gym, Risebridge, and focussing on mentally being ready, and after my run at Silverstone I just want to get out there again!” Hill said.

Jake has been nominated for Kent Young Sports Personality of the Year by his local newspaper The Kent and Sussex Courier, vote now by texting KS Sport 409 to 65100 (texts cost 50p) to make him your winner.

Voting closes 4th February 2011.

• 2010 Ginetta G40 Junior Series – 20 races. 13 Podium finishes
including 10 Wins, 10 Fastest Laps with 6 Lap Records and 8 Pole
Positions…. fastest in testing at 6 of the 10 circuits visited.
Championship Runner-Up.

• 2009 – Ginetta Junior Series – 12 Races. 5 Podium finishes including 3
Wins, 5 Fastest Laps, 5 Pole Positions, led all 12 races, fastest in
testing at 3 of 6 circuits visited.

• 2008 – Ginetta Junior Winterseries – 3rd position at Rockingham in
only his third ever race…only learned to drive a car three weeks
previously…

Jake and Simon Hill would like to thank everyone for their fantastic support in 2010, without your generosity and belief in Jake he would not have been racing…

• Mike Flounders, Tollbar Racing. THE best team, never let us down,
always the best car but most importantly friend, mentor, and
believed in Jake totally from the beginning – you and Mary kept the
faith. Thanks SO much Doc x
• Mark, Ferg, Oscar and Kieren from Tollbar Racing – the BEST. Thank
you for working so, so hard every single time.
• Graham, Will and Phil from Wired Energy
• Tim Gray from ON-LINE Media
• Tommy Dreelan from Celtic Speed
• John Miskin from Sportif
• Jim and Angie Geddie from Bishoston Developments
• Justin Everitt from Everitt Boles Insurance and MoRIS On-Line
Insurance
• Jon Lilly and Brian Wates from Thunder Toffee Vodka
• Iain McKenzie from Datapulse
• Michael Jackson from Win Win World
• Richard Olley from Banana Granite
• Michael Quaife from Quaife
• Maxi Jazz from Faithless – LIVE @ the O2 December 11th …..!
• Jason Plato
• Andy Neate
• Rob Collard
• Mark Hazell
• Simon Davison from OPI
• Justyn from JellyFish Designs….thanks for putting up with ‘last minute’
• Jakob Ebrey Photography…a picture is worth a thousand words!
• Andy Bell from SDS Graphics…unsung hero and lifesaver again and
again!
• Lawrence Tomlinson, Stuart Linn and everyone at Ginetta Cars
• Fabian from Octane Hairdressers, Hawkhurst
• Tim Harvey and everyone at BRDC Rising Stars
• Leslie, Kevin and Lyn for ALWAYS being there
• Chelseay Reay, Glenn Garett, Tom Howard and Neil at the BBC for
making him famous…..And if I’ve forgotten anyone please forgive me
and Thanks!!!

Taking his Tenth race win of the season in the final race of the year, 16 year-old Goudhurst-based racing driver Jake Hill signed off his Ginetta Junior campaign at a sunny Brands Hatch in front of 42,000 enthusiastic spectators and almost 500,000 viewers live on ITV4 last Sunday in emphatic style.

With 8 Pole Positions and 10 fastest laps to go with his victories, Hill is now the most successful driver in the history of the Ginetta Junior series, taking a total of 13 Wins, 19 Podiums, 15 fastest laps and 13 Pole Positons in his 36 races since October 2008.

Hill came to Brands Hatch still in with a chance of taking the title, 42 points behind leader Tom Ingram, so knew that he had to push for Double Victory and hope that Ingram’s 100% points-scoring record in 2010 came to an end.

Putting in a stunning lap to be Fastest in Friday’s test session, Hill was frustrated to be pipped to Pole Position for the races by Louise Richardson, but set off with the intent of taking victory in race one. A great start saw Hill alongside into Paddock Bend, but Richardson edged him wide almost allowing Ingram past as a result.

Cue a remorseless chase, breaking the lap record and getting alongside as the pair crossed the line – just as the Safety Car was deployed, forcing Hill to back off.

Circulating for several laps behind the Safety Car, a one-lap dash to the flag meant Hill had just one shot at Victory. Charging into Paddock Bend, Hill’s momentum took him alongside Richardson, braking incredibly late around the outside, but the lack of grip saw Hill skate off into the gravel and his championship challenge over.

“I had to try it” shrugged a bitterly disappointed Hill “With one lap left I just HAD to try and Win it to stand a chance of the title. I guess at least I had a good go!”

Shrugging off the disappointment of race one, Hill was determined to end his year on a high, and a superb start saw him commit to pass Richardson on the outside of Paddock Hill Bend again….but this time held on and took the lead in a gutsy move.

However Richardson edged back ahead at the next corner, but a superb move took him back into the lead at Graham Hill bend. Edging away Hill again set fastest lap before a Safety Car neutralised his lead. A strong challenge from Richardson at the restart ended at Druids when she spun, and two laps later ended up in the gravel, bringing out the Red Flags to stop the race and ensuring Hill’s victory and runner-up position in the Championship after an impressive first full season of motorsport.

“I’ve Won twice as many races as Tom, more Poles, more fastest laps but have had some bad luck, made some mistakes, and Tom has always stayed on. Well done to him, but mainly I wanna thank Mike, Mary, Mark, Ferg and Oscar from Tollbar for doing such a mega job. My Dad has worked so hard for me, and I’ve had so much support from so many people throughout the year – without them I wouldn’t be out there. I’ve been awarded a BRDC Rising Star this year and am very proud of that, and have had a fantastic time in Juniors. Hopefully we can race again next year, and then who knows maybe I’ll get my Championship!” smiled Hill after the race.

At the historic and demanding sweeps of Donington Park in Leicestershire Jake Hill kept his championship hopes alive, closing on points leader Tom Ingram with two superb victories, in doing so making the 16 year-old from Goudhurst the most successful driver in the history of the Ginetta Junior Series with 12 career wins.

After two tough weekends at Silverstone – where contact with another driver caused his retirement – and Knockhill where rival Ingram took Wins, Jake Hill knew nothing less than a strong weekend would do at Donington, where he was on Pole Position in 2009 and narrowly missed out on taking his first victory.

Hill and team-mate Tom Howard started the weekend strongly, taking 1st and 2nd fastest times in Practice on Friday, but a heavy shower just as the drivers headed out to qualify meant a frustrating 5th and 8th on the grid for Sunday’s races.

In race one on Sunday morning Hill made a strong start and by the exit of the first corner had already worked his way into 3rd position, slicing past Seb Morris for 2nd place at McLeans and setting after Pole-Man and main rival Tom Ingram.

After a Safety Car closed the pack up, Hill immediately chased down Ingram at the re-start, then in a bold move swept past on the approach to McLeans corner.

Controlling the pace beautifully Hill edged away to take his 8th Win of 2010 – missing out on the lap record by 0.001 secs! – and closing the points gap on Ingram.

“I needed that!” beamed Hill “My car was mega – Mike Flounders, Mark, Fergus, Oscar and Mary have been brilliant, and I’m so pleased to have Won again.”

Starting 8th on the grid for Sunday afternoon’s race Hill knew he had to work through the field quickly and cleanly if he was to be able to challenge Ingram. By the end of lap one he had begun his charge, crossing the line in 4th position and closing fast on Bonham in 3rd. Passing Bonham on lap two – again at McLeans – Hill swiftly caught Morris, overtaking decisively at Redgate then repeating the move on Ingram to take the lead a lap later. Edging away and breaking the lap record lap after lap, Hill’s lead was neutralised late on with a Safety Car, but a well-timed re-start and two strong final laps saw Hill take a crucial 9th Win of the season and close in further on Ingram.

“That was fantastic – one of the best races I’ve ever been in! It’s mega to take my second double victory of the season and keep the championship battle alive as we head to my home track at Brands Hatch – thanks so much to Mike and the team for such a great car – and a massive thanks to Wired not Tired and especially Sportif, On-Line Media, Celtic Speed, Thunder Toffee Vodka, Moris On-Line Insurance, Jakob Ebrey, Quaife, Datapulse, Bishopston Developments, JellyFish, SDS Graphics, Banana Granite and BRDC Rising Stars – I wouldn’t be racing without all their help.”

The final meeting of the year at Brands Hatch is on 9th & 10th October and sees Hill 42 Points behind Ingram – but with a potential 74 Points on offer anything is possible!