9 JUNE: BTCC THRUXTON
Following his impressive form at Snetterton Jake Hill claimed his second double of the season with wins in race 1 and race 2 at Thruxton – the fastest circuit on the BTCC schedule.
However, it wasn’t a day without controversy and fellow “Cobra Boy” Tom Ingram felt somewhat aggrieved that his first place across the line in race 2 was relegated to a third place in the steward’s room leaving him with “just” two third place podiums on the day.
In Race 1 Jake Hill showed the same immaculate racing style that had served him so well at Snetterton: Starting third on the grid he powered into first place by the first corner and then never put a foot wrong.
Despite having to contend with a brief safety car in the early exchanges, Hill put in a flawless performance and comfortably romped to top step of the podium.
Race 2 was certainly nowhere near as clean cut: While Jake Hill again made a perfect start to take the lead from pole, Tom Ingram - starting 4th on the grid - was a man on a mission. The Excelr8 Motorsport Hyundai i30 N driver was vying for third with Dan Cammish on the opening lap when the two cars entered the chicane side by side, and Ingram took the escape route on the left in order, he said, to avoid a collision with Cammish. That promoted Ingram to third and he then hauled in Ash Sutton and Jake Hill to take the chequered flag.
However, the stewards reviewed the overtake at the chicane and Ingram was deemed to have passed illegally for third place. Ingram was penalised two positions relegating him to third meaning that Jake Hill inherited his second win of the day – and fourth of the season - in the West Surrey Racing-run Laser Tools with MB Motorsport BMW 330e M Sport
