MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square is bound for its local circuit of Brands Hatch this weekend (23/24 October) as the final trio of rounds in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship take place on the Kent venue's Grand Prix circuit.
The team enjoyed a strong outing during Donington Park's penultimate race weekend, with drivers Jake Hill and Ollie Jackson trying to progress through the field from P13 and P15 on the grid respectively after a trying qualifying session.
A good start from both cars during Sunday's initial contest saw Hill maintain position while his team-mate jumped to 12th on the opening lap, before making a move through the Old Hairpin to take 11th from the BMW of Adam Morgan.
Sensing an opportunity, Hill aimed to capitalise on the battle ahead to also make his way past the #33 machine but contact unfortunately saw the pair head toward the gravel trap.
Having returned to the track and, following a brief trip to the pitlane to check for damage, Hill fought back through the field to recover to 17th spot.
Jackson, meanwhile, broke into the top ten after a safety car period, concluding the 19-lap encounter in tenth.
Looking to make further advances in race two, both drivers were fired up once again. By the end of the first lap, Jackson was into eighth, while Hill had broken into the points-paying positions on the third tour in 14th.
Continuing to pick off the pack ahead, Jackson was into seventh before he was caught up at the wrong end of a battle and dropped back the 14th place, while Hill was able to sneak into the top ten with a ninth-place finish and more valuable points in the title battle.
As a result of the reverse-grid draw, Hill lined up third on the grid for the final race of the day with Jackson looking ahead to another charge through the field from P14.
Hill wasted no time hounding the Honda of Dan Rowbottom for second from the off, before placing a move to take the spot and making it stick on the tenth lap. Despite the advances of Aiden Moffat, the 27-year-old held P2 for the remaining eight laps, claiming his ninth podium finish of the season.
The #48 Ford charged through the order from the off, with Jackson rounding out a trio of points finishes with 11th.
“Things didn’t go entirely our way on race day, but we kept the faith and pushed hard to recover what we could,” reflected Hill. “Based on that, to end the day with a podium was brilliant and just what we needed to keep the title alive heading to Brands Hatch.
“Thanks to everyone for all their hard work in getting the car back in shape after race one and for the efforts in getting to the podium. All eyes are on the finale now and I can’t wait to get back to my home circuit and give it my all.”
“I’m quite happy with how our weekend panned out,” added Jackson. “Three points finishes from three races is really good and I had some great battles out there on track. The racing was incredibly close and although that didn’t work out for us in the second race, I always enjoy fighting through and Donington Park was no exception. I’m quite confident as we head to Brands Hatch for the final time, I’m sure it’ll be a fitting way to end the year.”
