Jake Hill was ‘thrilled’ with another strong qualifying performance in the British Touring Car Championship at Croft, but admitted that he was ‘gutted’ to again miss out on a maiden pole position.
MB Motorsport’s Hill qualified second for Sunday’s opening race, just 0.040 seconds behind the day’s fastest man Aiden Moffat.
It marks the second meeting in a row where Hill has been the runner-up in qualifying, and he admits that he was disappointed not to be able to claim the top spot.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Hill. “It’s gutting to be so, so close to my first pole yet again, especially after the last round at Thruxton.”
Hill, who carries 48 kg of success ballast for going into the event fourth in the championship, was also pleased to be the best-placed of the heavier ballasted cars in qualifying, with pole-sitter Moffat being in a ballast-free car.
“I’m over the moon, nonetheless. We’re the highest placed car with that amount of weight and the other championship contenders are a little bit further down, so that’s what matters.
“I’m driving well and the car’s behaving itself, so I’m really enjoying it at the moment.
“I’m going for the win, it’s as simple as that. We’ve got to get as many points as we can. I know the win is on the cards, especially if it’s going to be damp or wet tomorrow, so I’m really, really excited to see what tomorrow brings and I don’t care what the weather is, so it’s fine.
“Even if it is raining, that’s my forte. I think we’re quick no matter what, so I’m really happy.”