Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport collected a storming pole position at Snetterton Circuit thanks to a spectacular performance from Jake Hill. The #24 racer collected the top spot in each of his three qualifying groups to give himself the best possible position to collect a healthy points haul on race day.
Arriving at Snetterton in a determined mood after a disappointing outing last time out at Brands Hatch Indy, the team and Jake got straight to work in wet conditions at the Norfolk circuit. Finishing the morning’s first practice session in P1 by just under half a second, the Kent-based driver highlighted a sign of things to come.
Session two brought further positives for the Laser Tools Racing man, closing out a tight session in P4 which saw three WSR-run BMW’s inside the top five runners.
As qualifying rolled around, hopes were high as Jake took to the track in Group A looking to finish inside the top six to make his way into the second session. From the outset, Jake looked the driver to beat as he closed out Group 1 in top spot, over six tenths ahead of WSR stablemate Bobby Thompson in P2.
The second phase of qualifying saw a similar result as Jake finished atop of the top-twelve runners, this time gapping the rest of the field by over four tenths. With the track drying, tensions were raised heading into the final stage of qualifying as Jake and the team made a last-minute call to turn to slick tyres.
It was a call that proved decisive with Jake’s times improving lap-on-lap alternating top spot with reigning champion, Ash Sutton. As the clock ticked down, Jake was in second position with all the pressure laying on his final lap. As he had done all day, Jake held his nerve and showed his class putting together an excellent lap to claim pole position by over eight tenths of a second.
Jake Hill, #24 Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport:
“The perfect way to bounce back after Brands Hatch, I'm absolutely thrilled. It’s a huge credit to all the guys behind me, they've just done an amazing job and the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW is in a really good place today.
"I was told I was fighting Josh (Cook), so I just thought let's throw everything at it and see what happens. I was either going to be sixth or on pole and luckily it was the latter.
"This bodes well for race day. We've had a very good run here at Snetterton the last couple of years and let's hope we can continue that tomorrow.”
Mark Blundell, Sporting Director of Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport:
“I couldn’t be happier for all of the team today. There was a lot of work and honest discussions between Brands and here and I am really pleased those efforts have been rewarded. Jake, Craig and all the #24 crew have been faultless today and now the challenge is to carry that into tomorrow. It’s going to be tough, just like any BTCC race day is, but we’ve put ourselves in a great position to enjoy a strong weekend.”
