The ROKiT MB Motorsport team enjoyed a positive final day of pre-season testing at the official BTCC Season Launch - with Jake Hill topping the morning’s timesheets at the Thruxton circuit and ending the day second-fastest overall.
Jake quickly dialled his BMW 330e M Sport into the track conditions at the Hampshire circuit, the fastest on the BTCC calendar, and wasted little time in getting his name on the timing boards. Despite a damp start to the session and several red flag stoppage periods, the 28-year-old continued to add up the mileage with a total of 31 laps.
As the session drew to a close, Jake finished fastest overall on the timing boards, posting a 1:15.744 to end the morning - just over two-tenths of a second clear of the Tom Ingram. His lap would stand as the second-fastest overall time of the day.
Greeted with sunnier conditions after the lunch break, Jake headed back out on track and recorded an impressive total of 46 laps - with the team focussing on continuing its planned programme for the day. The Kent-based racer ended the afternoon’s running ninth overall, with a 1:16.283.
By the end of the day's action, Jake left the Thruxton circuit with the second-fastest time overall in the combined classification - alongside an impressive lap total of 77, the fourth-highest highest count of the day.
“I’m really happy with how today has gone for us,” Jake said. “We were able to get plenty of running and focus on the run plan. The morning session we spent trying to get the setup optimised and the team did a great job to get the car dialled in. We were able to end the morning fastest overall which is always a nice feeling. Heading into the afternoon, we were able to get plenty more laps under our belts which was really positive. Big thanks and well done to all of the team on a productive day - we’re in good shape as we now look forward to Donington.”
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director of ROKiT MB Motorsport, concluded:
“I’d like to say a big well done to all of the team on an excellent day at Thruxton. It’s been a very positive day of testing with lots of data gathered and plenty of work completed. The next week will be valuable as we continue to analyse the data and understand more before we arrive for the opening round. With today’s excellent haul of mileage, there is lots to analyse and that will put us in very good stead.”
