Photo: PSP Images

Jake Hill heads opening session at Silverstone

Jake Hill emerged as the driver to beat in the opening BTCC practice of the weekend at Silverstone, although it appears that track limits could again prove to be an issue over the course of the meeting.

Hill topped the times with a lap of 57.622s putting him clear of Ronan Pearson’s Hyundai as the young Scot celebrated his new deal for 2024 and beyond with a solid start to proceedings, with the Vauxhall’s of Aron Taylor-Smith and Mikey Doble behind as the Power Maxed Racing squad enjoyed a strong start to proceedings.

As the session wore on, there were multiple cases of drivers being warned over track limits – with Copse and Brooklands both being monitored – whilst a number were handed black flags that saw them forced to come into pits.

Amongst those drivers were Colin Turkington, who still ended the session in P5 in his BMW, as well as title hopeful Tom Ingram – with the defending champion ending up in ninth.

Points leader Ash Sutton would end up three places ahead of Ingram as he set the sixth fastest time at the wheel of his Focus, with Ricky Collard and Adam Morgan between the pair.

Rory Butcher then rounded out the top ten.

On his return to the series, Bobby Thompson would post the 20th best time.