Hill is two seconds off a podium place

The sixth round of the Thundersport GB Championship brought Hill back to the track where he suffered heartache last year, after crashing and breaking his hip.

But this time he was delighted with his experience, ending with a fifth place in race two.

Team Hill where looking for consistency, and the Friday practice was a chance to get back into the groove and find a good setting to take into the race.

After a few tweaks to the bike Hill was quickly on the pace, coming in under last year’s pole position lap time.

Heading into Saturday qualifying Hill set a time 1.5 seconds quicker than last year’s pole, but it was only good enough for seventh.

He said: “Qualifying went well, to say I wasn’t looking forward to coming back to this track and I’m happy with seventh on the grid on the second row, the team have done a brilliant effort with the bike.”

On race day, starting from the second row, the teenager got a great start in the first race of the day and was sixth heading into the first corner.

The first six riders were quickly setting the pace.

“I felt comfortable riding at the back of the front group and felt I could make a charge in the last few laps to make it onto the podium, but on the third lap I had a slight gearchange problem into the hairpin where the bike wouldn’t engage a gear and I lost touch with the front group and dropped down to eighth,” he said.

But he did manage to finish seventh, with the fourth fastest lap time.

In the second race, again starting from the second row, Hill got a flying start and was third into the first corner.

“I made a great start for once. I’ve normally struggled with the starts this year but its all coming together and I’m starting to become a condenter for these top positions.”

Hill and the top five pulled away, and although he encountered the same gear problem, Hill came home in fifth.

The delighted rider said: “Its been a brilliant weekened considering this is my worst track, and to get my best finish of the season and only be two seconds off the podium is a brilliant achievement.”

“I now cant wait to get to the next round and be even better and faster.”

Team Hill travel to Anglesey in three weeks time for round seven, and the youngster will compete in the Motodex Championship, along with the Elite Formula 600.

He’s already looking ahead to the 2014 season too.

“I’ve been given the chance to ride some brilliant bikes in some very experienced and successful British Superbikes teams for next year and it would be a great opportunity, however sponsorship is essential to be competitive at any level of motorsport and we are preparing sponsorship packages for the remainder of the 2013 season and the 2014 season. “

Team Hill would like to thank J.G. Newman Panel Beaters for preparing his fairings to an excellent standard for this round, Crossroads Garage, Bert Corrigan, Syd Smith Spares, and Rock Oil.