Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport Scores Big at Knockhill
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport roared back into contention at Knockhill, where Jake Hill delivered a stellar performance in the seventh round of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Hill clinched a race victory and two fifth-place finishes, tightening his grip on the championship battle.
The weekend kicked off with a classic Knockhill challenge—wet conditions in the opening practice. Hill, starting on wet tyres, managed to navigate the evolving track to finish in 16th place. By the time the second practice rolled around, the sun was shining, but the dry conditions didn’t help as a damaged suspension saw Jake slip to 19th.
Qualifying was crucial, with hybrid allocation playing a major role. Despite having the second-least hybrid time, Hill powered his BMW to a remarkable 7th place, outpacing many of his key rivals.
Sunday's first race saw Hill start on medium tyres against competitors mostly on the faster soft compound. A strong start pushed him into sixth at turn one, and by lap 12, he’d moved up to fifth, where he held on to the finish.
Race 2 was where Hill truly shined. Starting from fifth on the soft compound, he wasted no time moving up the grid. Quick passes on Taylor-Smith, Morgan, and Cook set him up to chase down leader Turkington. By lap five, Hill had executed a brilliant overtake to seize the lead, which he maintained to claim victory—his sixth of the season—in his 250th BTCC career race.
In the reverse grid draw, Hill started the chaotic final race from 12th. Once again, he made impressive progress, climbing to fifth by the finish line.
A jubilant Jake Hill commented: "Myself and the team are extremely happy with our trip to Knockhill! Two fifth-place finishes and a race victory means that we outscored my championship rivals this weekend which was the main goal heading into this round.
Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport and the WSR crew did a superb job once again this weekend and the progress we made from FP1 to the races showcased how hard everyone is working to make sure we are battling at the front.
We cut the gap in the championship fight from 21 points down to just 3 and we are ready to continue the attack at Donington Park in two weeks' time."
Jake's victory and brace of fifth-place finishes meant that he outscored his main championship rivals, and closed the gap in the championship fight to just three points. Jake stays second in the Drivers' Championship as the championship heads for Donington Park, East Midlands, on August 24-25.