Motorsport: Hill keeps family trail blazing

Josh Hill in action. Photo / Paul Estcourt

One of the better-known names in British motor racing is back in New Zealand for a second time contesting the Toyota Racing Series.

Josh Hill, 20, is the third generation of his family to race open-wheelers. His grandfather, Graham, was Formula One world champion in 1962 and 1968, and his father, Damon, was 1996 F1 world champion.

Hill jnr made a strong impression in the 2011 TRS, especially when finishing fourth in the New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild.

He was also named most improved driver of the series.

After two rounds of the five-round TRS championship, Hill lies 4th on the points table. He went one better than his grandfather by winning at Teretonga, backing that with a 13th and a sixth placing in atrocious weather.

Hill was again on the podium in race one at Timaru and followed that up with an eighth and 18th.

Driven sat down with Hill to get his thoughts on his return to New Zealand.

You're in your second season in TRS. In your first effort you got off to a slow start but as the series went on you got better and better. Do you think racing in the TRS helped you when you got back to Europe?

Last year was a massive help, even though I had a difficult time adjusting to the car and the tracks down here.

When I got back I was the quickest in some of the tests. It tailed off towards the end when some of the other teams and drivers made more progress and the second-year drivers made use of their experience. It was definitely worth coming down here and I'm looking forward to doing another series.

You've had a race win and a third already. Have you arrived with a lot of confidence?

I've hit the ground running and you can't do better than a win. I would've liked to have done better in qualifying, especially here [Teretonga], but that's how things have happened.

You managed a fourth in the New Zealand Grand Prix last year and this year you'll be hoping for at least a podium finish?

I think the New Zealand Grand Prix is the equivalent to the Formula Ford Festival, and no one remembers who comes second or third but everyone remembers who comes first. I would love to win that race. My granddad won that race and I would love to also.

What are your plans for the rest of the season?

After this we'll be going back to the UK to do Formula Renault and hoping to win that championship. I've just got to do a good job there and as it's my second year, I'll be looking to win the championship. That's the goal and I'll be going all out to win it.

To follow Hill, go to www.joshhillracing.com