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Hill secures BTCC title on thrilling final day




CHAMPAGNE corks were popping at Southam-based Laser Tools Racing after driver Jake Hill clinched the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship title after a breathtaking and unforgettable final day of racing at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

Hill went into the final weekend level on points at the top of the table with rival and Tom Ingram, and the pair were separated by just one point after the first two races around the legendary 2.43-mile Grand Prix circuit.

BMW star Hill gained the early advantage with victory in the opener with Ingram completing the podium to stay within five points of the championship summit.

Jake Hill in action on the final day of the championship.
Jake Hill in action on the final day of the championship.

The pendulum swung back towards Ingram during the second encounter, as the 2022 champ won from Hill with Colin Turkington in third.

Incredibly, it would come down to one race, a one-point gap and ultimately one champion.

Hill, who lives in Kent, clinched the crown in the only way he knows, with a top-class clinical drive, as he passed Ingram on-track to triumph in front of a highly charged and passionate home crowd.

In that final race of the weekend, the title rivals duelled on-track from sixth and seventh on the grid. Ingram seemed to have the upper hand early on, but Hill kept his power dry despite the wet weather conditions as the tyre temperatures on his BMW 330e M Sport gradually came in.

The season defining moment happened on lap five as the star duo fought over fourth place. Hill ran around the outside of Surtees, getting a great slingshot alongside Ingram and he completed the move on the run down to Hawthorns.

Hill never looked back as he gradually made his way up to second, whilst Ingram eventually had to settle for sixth and runners-up laurels in the championship battle.

Hill said: “2024 BTCC Champion sounds amazing. It just hasn’t sunk in yet, it’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I’m overwhelmed, the support has been incredible, I’m speechless.

“The emotions started to hit me as I made my way to the last corner at Clearways, I was getting a bit teary eyed there – we just brought it home. As we crossed the line it was just an amazing experience.

"We’ve had a great race and an amazing weekend, and it happened when I needed it most. It’s made everything worth it; it has been such a fight the last 15 years to even stay on the grid and now we’ve made it happen!”

The performances of Hill and team-mate Turkington throughout the weekend also helped BMW clinch the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ title for a record tenth time.

There was also success for Bidford-based Power Maxed Racing with Árón Taylor-Smith securing the Independent Drivers’ title and Mikey Doble lifting the Jack Sears Trophy for rookie racers. Add to that the Independent Teams’ Championship title and a brilliant campaign was capped with a trophy hat-trick.

Team principal Adam Weaver said: “It truly has been a season that will live long in the memory. We’ve enjoyed our fair share of success down the years in the BTCC but what we’ve achieved this season arguably trumps everything - to walk away with three different titles is some effort.

“Of course it would have been nice to come away with that long overdue race win - and I think it might have been on had it stayed dry for race three - but we can’t be disappointed at all. We’ve been fast at every single round and now have quite the silverware collection.

“I’ve got to say a massive thank you to every single member of the team, all of our fantastic sponsors and partners and of course the fans for their incredible support this year - without them none of this will have been possible.”



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