Team HARD retains Jake Hill for 2018

Jake Hill will remain with Team HARD for a third straight season after being confirmed as the team’s latest driver for the 2018 BTCC campaign.

The 23-year-old joined the team at the start of 2016 for his first full season in the series, and then finished 20th this year at the wheel of a VW CC – taking a best finish of sixth at Snetterton.

Hill, who has raced with support from Team HARD partner Brisky Racing for a number of years, joins up with Bobby Thompson and Mike Bushell as part of Tony Gilham’s revised line-up.

Hill and Bushell will work together in the Teams’ Championship, with Thompson being partnered by the as-yet-unnamed fourth driver – who is due to be revealed in the New Year.

“Last season we had some great pace, but our results didn’t really reflect just how competitive we really were,” Hill said. “So for 2018 I am really excited to be part of Team HARD Brisky Racing again. I can’t thank Tony, Gary, Kingsley and the guys enough for the faith they have shown in me, and for the opportunity to continue our journey together.

“With Geoff (Kingston) on board and seeing the impact he has already made, implementing several fairly major technical changes to the car, I know we will be in a really strong position to regularly challenge at the front.”

Hill added that he was keen to try and repay Brisky Racing boss Richard Wheeler for his support with a strong season on track, with championship silverware being the ultimate aim.

“My friend and long-time supporter Richard Wheeler from Brisky Racing is an integral part of making this possible for me, and for helping things move forward with the team,” he said. “Without him this simply wouldn’t be possible, I am hugely grateful for the faith he’s shown in me.

“Bobby, Mike and I will work well together and push each other along. Being paired with Mike to score team points leaves me confident we will be in the hunt for the Independent Teams’ title. I’m also eligible for the Jack Sears Trophy so will do everything I can to challenge for that honour, and of course the Independent Drivers’ championship.”

With Thompson and Bushell both being new to the Team HARD Volkswagen, team boss Gilham admitted that the continuity of Hill in one of the cars could be a key factor in the drive for a success on track in 2018.

“We have seen what Jake can do, and we wanted to use his experience and technical strength as well as outright pace to help us continue making progress,” he said. “It’s great to have continuity and Jake is part of the family here.

“The addition of Brisky Racing has seen us move forward. We already have some great people here, and a fantastic level of support for the team, so with the combination of Geoff’s input and Jake’s speed we are very confident that we will be in the mix right from the start of the season.”