Double points finish for MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square at BTCC season finale

STORY OF THE DAY

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Race One

• The team looked forward to a positive opening race to start Finals Day, as Jake Hill and Ollie Jackson lined up in formation from P11 and P12 on the grid respectively
• A frenetic start to the race saw Ollie climb to P11 whilst Jake dropped to P14 in the first-lap scrum
• By lap two, Jake had begun to regain places and was up to P13
• Over the following laps, Jake began to dice with the BMW of Tom Oliphant for P12 but also had to fend off Tom Ingram as he looked for a way past
• Their battle was placed on a brief hold as the safety car was called to recover Andy Neate’s Ford from the gravel trap
• What followed was a game of cat-and-mouse between Ollie, Oliphant, Jake and Ingram as the four ran in close proximity throughout as Jelley dropped through the order - promoting the pair a further place
• With no one able to make a move stick, Ollie’s stern defence rewarded him with a P10 result as Jake crossed the line close behind in P12 to record a double-points finish

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Race Two

• Looking to make further advances in race two, both drivers were fired up once again
• A chaotic first few corners resulted in carnage, with Ollie unfortunately spun round at Surtees and collected by several others cars, ending his race prematurely
• Jake survived his fair share of opening lap drama, as he swiftly recovered a slide from contact at Druids to rejoin in P15
• Spurred on after the safety car, Jake began his charge back through the pack with the fastest lap of the race and an excellent move on Boardley through Paddock Hill Bend
• Two laps later, the BRDC SuperStar then made his way past Osborne for P13
• By lap eight, Jake had battled his way back into the top ten by despatching of Jack Goff’s Cupra
• From there, Jake held firm to bring the car home in P10 for his second points finish of the day

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Race Three

• Starting P10 and P27 for the final race of the season, both Jake & Ollie were determined to end the year on a high
• A superb getaway and opening few laps from Ollie meant he rose an outstanding eight places to break into the top-20
• Similarly, Jake was on a charge as he climbed to P9 by lap two
• Taking no prisoners, the pair overtook car after car - Jake up to P7 and Ollie into P12 by lap 10
• On lap 13, Jake set a new fastest lap of the race to propel him past Josh Cook and into P4
• As the chequered flag flew on the 2021 season, the team ended the year with two superlative drives from Jake and Ollie to P4 and P11 respectively

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QUOTES

Jake Hill - #24 MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“What a way to end my most successful season in BTCC. Whilst I'm disappointed not to take the title fight right to the wire, we fought really hard throughout the day and had some great battles. I'm really pleased to end it with a P4 result from where we started the day. It’s been a great year with everyone at MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square and Motorbase Performance - to be in the title fight until the last round is a real achievement and I’d like to thank all of the team for their hard work.”

Ollie Jackson - #48 MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“As season finales go, this was one of the most dramatic I think I’ve experienced. We had a productive opening race with P10 and that set us up nicely for the rest of the day. Sadly things didn’t go to plan in race two and that changed the face of our day. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team for getting the car back into shape for race three - finishing 16 places higher than where we started was definitely a highlight to end the year. Thanks to all of the team.”

Mark Blundell - Sporting Director, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square:
“As our second year in BTCC draws to a close, I’d like to say a huge well done and thank you to everyone at Motorbase Performance and MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square. We’ve many highlights to reflect on with two victories and ten podium finishes across the season. I’d also like to say a big thank you to all our valued partners for their continued support - we wouldn’t be able to fight at the front without them and their support is invaluable to us.”

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