Goudhurst’s Jake Hill thinks his British Touring Car Championship career can start properly this year after signing a deal with Longfield-based Team HARD.

Hill, 22, will compete in his first full season after appearing in one-off races over the past three campaigns.

The former Ginetta ace – who piloted an Audi S3 for the AmDTuning.com squad at the Brands Hatch finale in October – will handle a Toyota Avensis used by Stewart Lines last season.

Hill said: “Hopefully this is the start of my British Touring Car Championship career.

“Hopefully we will have a strong year, but really the plan for the year is to get solid results and build the team and the car up.

“It’s as much about being consistent as it is about pushing in touring cars.”

Hill will line up alongside team-mate Chris Smiley at the first round at Brands Hatch next month.

His Toyota, which is currently being rebuilt, has undergone a development process over the winter and Hill thinks it will be lighter for 2016.

"This is what I have wanted to do for the last three years since 2013..." - Jake Hill

The BRDC Rising Star, who will be sponsored by RCIB Insurance, will race for the Team HARD squad led by Tony Gilham.

Hill added: “This is what I have wanted to do for the last three years since 2013.

“Luckily Tony asked RCIB and they have managed to make it possible.

“The only reason why I wasn’t with AMD was that we couldn’t get to where they needed to be – and Tony has come along with a deal I couldn’t refuse.”

Hill said the team will start the season with last year’s suspension specification, opting not to use the new-for-2016 kit until it’s proven.

He will reignite his rivalry with fellow Toyota pilot Tom Ingram, who he competed alongside in his Ginetta days.

Hill added: “When Tom and I did Ginettas, it was me and him fighting against the rest.

“Hopefully we can go back to those days and I can give him a run for his money.

“He is the guy to beat in a Toyota, I respect him fully and look forward to racing against him.

The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship season will start at Brands Hatch on April 2-3.