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Platts Heath’s British Touring Car Championship leader Jake Hill excels on return to Goodwood with victory at Revival meeting

05:00, 14 September 2024

Jake Hill’s latest Goodwood exploits included a victory as he once again took the chance to shine behind the wheel of some of motorsport’s most historic cars.

Platts Heath racer Hill, who leads the British Touring Car Championship with two rounds to go, has been in Goodwood action this year back in April - at the annual Members’ Meeting - and then in July - at the Festival of Speed.

Jake Hill celebrates that winning feeling with father Simon after victory in the Freddie March Trophy. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Jake Hill celebrates that winning feeling with father Simon after victory in the Freddie March Trophy. Picture: Simon Hildrew

This time round he was in West Sussex for the Goodwood Revival, saving his best for last after strapping in for three races - the St Mary’s Trophy, the RAC TT and the Freddie March Trophy.

In the St Mary’s Trophy, Hill piloted an Era Motorsport-prepared Plymouth Barracuda muscle car and, despite having never driven it before, qualified fourth and first of the V8 machines. A brilliant start saw him up to second where he stayed, holding off Romian Dumas’ Ford Galaxie by eight hundredths of a second.

Sharing driving duties with AC Cobra owner Olly Bryant for the RAC TT, Hill qualified third before the duo were relegated to 29th spot for running an ineligible suspension component.

Jake Hill, driving a Plymouth Barracuda, defends against Roman Dumas in the St Mary's Trophy race. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Jake Hill, driving a Plymouth Barracuda, defends against Roman Dumas in the St Mary's Trophy race. Picture: Simon Hildrew

Bryant, however, made up tremendous ground and was second by the time he handed over to Hill.

Leader Alex Brundle was soon caught and passed, but Hill’s BTTC rival, Tom Ingram, had the final word in his TVR Griffith 400, passing and then repassing the Kent driver to win by 0.8sec.

It was third time lucky in the final race, the Freddie March Trophy, as pole man Hill initially dropped to third in his Heather Green-coloured 1954 HWM-Jaguar before charging back to P1.

Nearest rival Richard Woolmer took advantage of the traffic to lead but as the duo began lap 12 Hill got a better exit from the chicane, then pulled away, setting fastest lap for his maiden win at the Goodwood Revival by 3.53sec.

Jake Hill finished second in the RAC TT, sharing driving duties with Oliver Bryant in his 1964 AC Cobra. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Jake Hill finished second in the RAC TT, sharing driving duties with Oliver Bryant in his 1964 AC Cobra. Picture: Simon Hildrew

“[I’m] so very happy,” said Hill. “After coming so close in the other two races I was determined to get this done.

“A huge thank-you to the car's owner, Jonathan Turner, for again trusting me with this beautiful car, and to the true gentleman that is Gregor Fisken for making it happen. A wonderfully prepared car by Harry and Dave and the team - such a fun car to drive.

“[It was a] good battle with Richard, who is fun to race with, so a brilliant end to a special, special weekend.

“Also a big thanks to my partners Diamondbrite, Scalextric and of course ek robotics for their amazing support for my historic motorsport campaigns this season.”

Jake Hill was in winning form in the Freddie March Memorial Trophy, driving a 1954 HWM-Jaguar. Picture: Simon Hildrew
Jake Hill was in winning form in the Freddie March Memorial Trophy, driving a 1954 HWM-Jaguar. Picture: Simon Hildrew

Hill now turns his attentions to his BTCC bid, which continues at Silverstone on September 21-22 before the final round at Brands Hatch two weeks later.

“We have had a great run so far, the car is working well and my team at Laser Tools MB Motorsport have been brilliant all season,” Hill said.

“It will be tough and probably very close but I feel ready for the fight. Let’s see what we can do.”

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