Kent racer Jake Hill becomes British Touring Car Champion
A West Kent circuit with a West Kent born driver eyeing up arguably the biggest prize in British racing. Bartholomew Hall takes us through the day's action...
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00:00As the crowds pile in and the tension builds, the stage is set here at the jewel of Kent
00:05Motorsport, Brands Hatch Circuit. Five drivers are still in with a possibility of taking
00:10the British Touring Car Championship title for this year, but there's only one local
00:15man looking to grab his first. Can Platzi's Jake Hill finally get his hand on a championship
00:21trophy after a wait of more than 10 years?
00:25After qualifying sixth for the first of the day's three races, Kent's Jake Hill was instantly
00:30on the back foot to stay in front in the title battle, but thankfully for him, the drama
00:34of the championship fight came as early as the starting lights, as three of the five
00:39drivers in with a chance of taking it came together on the opening lap, leaving Hill's
00:43closest rival Tom Ingram down in seventh while Hill himself was able to pass into first after
00:49a hectic start to the day. Ingram wasn't letting the fight slip away, however, as he managed
00:53a recovery of his own, finishing in third and keeping the gap between the pair at just
00:58a handful of points.
01:00Away from the championship battle, one of the loudest celebrations came from the new
01:03team on the block. Kent-based Duckhams Racing's 19-year-old prodigy Daryl De Leon scored his
01:09highest career position in seventh, which left him confident about his rookie season
01:13as a whole.
01:14It's amazing to do this, to achieve that result, to bring back to the team and with all the
01:19hard work and effort, being based here in Kent, it's even more special to do it out
01:24of their home track.
01:26As with any sporting event, it wouldn't be the same without the fans, many of whom weren't
01:30shy to share who they were backing this weekend.
01:32I think my money would be on Jake Hill. I think, cracking race, he did really well,
01:38he's looking good.
01:39Tom Ingram, he's such a, I mean I always say that he's somebody that you'd like to chat
01:43to down the pub.
01:44I'm a bit of a Sutton fan, but obviously whereas I'm local because I live in the village, I'm
01:49supporting Jake Hill.
01:50I prefer it to Ingram, but whoever gets it today, they deserve it.
01:53Yeah, we like Jake Hill, but I also like Tom Ingram, so I'd be happy for either.
01:59On to race two then, and starting where they'd finished in race one, Hill was overtaken early
02:04into the second lap and just didn't have enough in the tank to fight back against the charging
02:08Ingram, leaving a tense podium celebration as the pair knew exactly what it meant.
02:13One point apart, and still all to win going into the very final race of the season.
02:18It'll be sweet. It's coming to the pits in the 50s, so I'm second in the rookie cup.
02:26So as the cars took their position on the grid for the final race, it was the team's
02:30spirit that came to the forefront. Months of hard work, tough battles and consistent
02:34belief all came down to this.
02:37Starting in sixth, one place ahead of Tom Ingram, the damp conditions meant it was a
02:41tricky start for Jake's rear wheel driven BMW, which was immediately overtaken.
02:47That was until the fourth lap, when an all or nothing outside overtake seemed to be the
02:51difference for Hill, who continued his crusade to the end, climbing up to fourth, and suddenly
02:56the championship had fallen into his hands.
02:59How are you feeling?
03:13Emotional. Proud, emotional. Fantastic job by the team and amazing by everybody.
03:20Very quick thoughts, what's going through your head right now?
03:24Just extremely happy. Happy for Jake, happy for the team.
03:29And action.
03:52The first driver from Kent to take the championship crown in Kent since 1960.
03:59From his first race in 2013 to a victory back where it all started, Jake Hill becomes champion.
04:07I cannot believe it. Thank you all so much for the support, the love, the messages, everything.
04:15I'm honestly blown away. I've got no words for the emotions right now.
04:21Other than, let's go and have some beers with the boys because they all deserve it as well.
04:25So as the sun sets on the touring car season, a new dawn begins for the Kent champion,
04:31who will surely be looking to double his titles next time out.
04:34Bartholomew Hall for KMTV at Brands Hatch.