Jake Hill will race an Audi S3 in the 2019 British Touring Car Championship, after the 24-year-old put pen to paper on a deal with the new Trade Price Cars Racing outfit.
Hill will return to the grid after completing just half a season with Brisky Racing in 2017, before he left the team during the summer break.
With Trade Price Cars forming a new team in conjunction with AmD Tuning in 2019, acquiring and rebuilding the AmD Audi cars, Hill has been announced as their first signing.
Hill will therefore be reunited with the S3 which he raced back in 2015 when he got his first experience in NGTC machinery.
“We have been working non-stop since the summer to get things in place to get back into the BTCC,” said Hill. “I am absolutely buzzing to once again be part of the UK’s premier championship, especially as part of this exciting new project with Trade Price Cars Racing.
“I want to thank Dan [Kirby, Trade Price Cars owner] and Andy [Wilmot] so, so much for making this possible and for giving me the chance to remind everyone what I can do. I am more fired-up than ever and ready to work as hard as possible to get the maximum out of the car, and see what we can achieve as a team.
“We have some fantastic partners, both new and existing, and we’ve a stunning livery to be revealed soon. We aim to be out testing early in the new year, and we have some very, very good people working with the team, so we expect to be well prepared.
“I’d also like to make it clear how much I appreciate the previous opportunities Motorbase Performance, Team HARD, RAR [Rob Austin Racing] and AmD Tuning have given me, as well as all of the teams outside of the BTCC that put their faith in me. Shaun Hollamby has done so much for me, too, and has been great for my career since first helping me out back in 2010.
“They’ve all provided the platform for me to show people what I can do. Without their support, and that of my fantastic sponsors, friends, fans and of course my incredible family, I simply wouldn’t be able to do what I love.
“We’ve had a tough year. Everything happens for a reason and I am more focussed, physically fit, and determined than ever to succeed.
“This will be a fun ride. Being on the podium at Brands Hatch earlier this year was just incredible, so a bit more of that in 2019, please!”
Kirby was keen to sign Hill for the team’s first campaign as its own racing entity, after working with Hill when the company was primary sponsor of Team HARD and Brisky Racing.
“We have got to know Jake well over the past couple of seasons,” said Kirby. “Having seen up-close how strong he is as a driver, his technical awareness, and how well he works with his partners off track it’s a real statement of our intent getting him on board.
“Everyone has seen just how quick he is, so we’re really confident he will be a key part of the team and in helping us achieve success, now and hopefully in the long-term.”