Jake, you’ve had an impressive career in BTCC so far. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what initially drew you to motorsport?
Motorsport has always been a huge part of my life, practically from the moment I was born. My dad was a successful racing driver himself and transitioned into a role as a commentator, so I was surrounded by the world of racing from a very young age. You could say it was in my DNA. As a kid, I spent a lot of time in the paddock with my dad, and when I was a bit older, I got some work experience with the Porsche teams, where I began by washing tyres.
It might not sound glamorous, but for me, it was a foot in the door and a chance to be part of the action. I’ve always said that racing was a dream of mine, but it wasn’t until a group of drivers I was working with saw my passion and potential that things really took off. They generously all chipped in to help me do the Ginetta Junior Winter Series, and that’s when I got the bug.
From that point on, I knew this was what I wanted to do. My dad was incredibly supportive and did everything he could to help me turn that passion into a career. He worked tirelessly to secure sponsor deals, and that financial support allowed me to compete in the full Ginetta Junior Championship. It’s been a journey that started with small steps but has led to some amazing opportunities and experiences.
Laser Tools Racing has become synonymous with your success in BTCC. What
drew you to the team and how has your partnership developed?
Laser Tools Racing have been an ever-constant part of the championship for the past ten years and myself and MB Motorsport are honoured to be celebrating their ten year anniversary will them this season. You can never miss a Laser Tools branded car on the grid with the iconic white and chrome blue standing out amongst the pack, and getting the chance to represent them on the grid for the past two seasons has been a stand-out memory for me.
I’ve been racing with MB Motorsport since 2020, and in that time we have come close to winning the championship but fallen just short. Partnering with Laser Tools in 2023 almost felt like the missing link and since then I feel like I’ve been at my very best. It’s clear that they matched our title-winning ambitions and their support in looking to achieve this has been phenomenal.
This season, you’re one of the top drivers in the division. What do you believe are the key factors that have contributed to your successful season so far?
For me, this season has been all about a changed mindset and approach. The past two years behind the wheel of a WSR-run BMW 330e M Sport have been superb, with my results tally being bettered in back-to-back seasons and having the car and amazing team of mechanics behind me has been crucial to this success. However, we fell just short of the title on both occasions and that has been a hard pill to swallow.
I think one of the biggest factors behind our success has been the open and honest communication within the team. In motorsport, things can change so quickly, and you’re constantly dealing with highs and lows. It’s crucial to be able to take both the rough and the smooth in stride. After a tough weekend, like the one we had at Brands Hatch, it’s essential to have those conversations with everyone involved as we all need to be on the same page and figure out what went wrong so that it doesn’t happen again.
What’s really made a difference this year is how I’ve approached those conversations. In the past, if I got some tough feedback or if someone pointed out a mistake I made, I might have taken it personally and seen it as a negative. But this season, I’ve really come to understand the logic behind that feedback. I’ve realised that everyone in the team is pushing for the same goal, and sometimes that means I need to be put in my place if it helps the team move forward.
That shift in mindset—being more receptive to constructive criticism and understanding that it’s all part of the process—has been crucial. It’s allowed us to maintain a strong, cohesive unit, where everyone feels empowered to speak up and contribute to our collective success. When everyone’s on the same wavelength like that, it really shows on the track. We’re all pushing each other to be better, and that’s reflected in the results we’ve been able to achieve this season.
Working with a team like Laser Tools Racing I’m sure involves a lot of collaboration. Can you share some insights into the team dynamics and how everyone works together to achieve success?
Working with Laser Tools Racing has been an incredible experience, and collaboration is truly at the heart of what we do. In a sport as complex and fast-paced as touring car racing, every single team member plays a crucial role, and our success is really a testament to how well we work together.
We have a shared understanding that every person on the team has a specific expertise that is vital to our performance on race day. It’s a finely tuned machine where communication and trust are key. For instance, after each session on the track, we sit down together to go over the data and analyse what worked and what didn’t.
There’s a real sense of mutual respect within the team. We all know that our individual efforts contribute to the overall success, so we make sure that everyone’s voice is heard. This collaborative spirit extends to how we approach race weekends too. We often come up with strategies together, and there’s a lot of back-and-forth to ensure that we’re all aligned on the best approach.
The support from Laser Tools as a sponsor has been absolutely incredible and has made a huge impact on my journey in motorsport. They’re not just a name on the car; they’re deeply invested in everything we’re trying to achieve, both on and off the track. They’re truly part of the team, and that’s something you can feel every time we race.
One of the most rewarding parts of race day is when I get to visit the hospitality area. Walking in there and being met with a huge round of applause and unwavering support is an experience that’s hard to put into words. Even when things aren’t going well, that energy from everyone—from the sponsors to the guests—reminds me that what I’m doing isn’t just for me. It’s for all of them too.
You start to realise that the goals you’re chasing on the track have a much wider impact. It’s not just about personal achievements; it’s about making everyone who’s invested in the journey proud. The pride they show, regardless of the outcome, really hits home and motivates me to keep pushing harder. Knowing that there’s this entire community of people, from the sponsors to the behind-the-scenes team members, who care as much about the success of the car as I do, is incredibly humbling.
It’s a reminder that this sport is far bigger than just the driver. We’re all in this together, and that collective effort is what makes every race so special. It fills me with pride to represent them on the track, knowing that they’re all cheering me on and sharing in every victory and every setback.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face during a season, and how do you
prepare to overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced this season has been adapting to the new hybrid allowance system. The way it’s structured means that the higher you are in the championship standings, the less hybrid power you have available for qualifying and the first race. This has been particularly challenging in qualifying, especially with the new format. For most of the season, I’ve had to manage with next to no hybrid power, which means I’m pushing the car to its absolute limit every time I’m out there.
Honestly, just making it into the final stage of qualifying can sometimes feel more rewarding than securing pole position, given the circumstances. It’s a unique challenge because you know that you’re competing against some of the best drivers out there, and everyone’s pushing just as hard as you are. The standard is exceptionally high, so there’s absolutely no margin for error in any session.
One bad race or a slip-up in qualifying can really set you back in the championship, so the pressure is relentless. You have to be on the limit 100% of the time when you’re in the car, constantly focused and pushing for every fraction of a second. But, that’s also what I love about this sport—the intensity, the need to always be at your best. It’s tough, but that’s what makes the rewards so satisfying when you get it right. The constant challenge drives me to improve and adapt, and it’s that relentless pursuit of perfection that keeps me motivatedthroughout the season.

You have developed a strong fan base. How important is fan support to you, and how do you engage with your fans during the race weekends?
The fan support in the BTCC is something truly special. This championship has one of the most dedicated and engaged fan bases in the entire world of motorsport, and it’s an absolute honor to race in front of such passionate crowds at some of the UK’s best tracks. There’s nothing quite like the energy you feel on a race weekend when you see the grandstands packed and the pitlane buzzing with excitement.
For me, fan support adds an extra layer of motivation. When I’m out there on the track, or seeing a sea of Laser Tools Racing blue at the podium, or seeing fans lining up during the pitlane walkabout sessions, it genuinely drives me to push even harder.
Engaging with fans during race weekends is something I really enjoy. Whether it’s taking time to sign autographs, chat with fans, or just share a moment during the pitlane walkabout, it’s important to me to give back to those who support us so passionately. These interactions are what make the BTCC so unique; the fans are right there with us, part of the action, and that connection is something I value deeply.
The atmosphere they create is electric, and it makes a huge difference to me and the team. Hearing them cheer as you drive by, or seeing them wave your team’s colors, is an incredible feeling. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do, and how much it means to so many people. That support keeps me grounded and focused, and it’s something I’m grateful for every time I hit the track.
Technology and strategy play crucial roles in motorsport. How do you and your team utilise data and technology to gain a competitive edge?
As always, we’ve focused on maximising what we can extract from the car’s performance by utilising the data available to us as a team. The level of detail we go into is incredible, and it’s all about finding those small margins that can make a big difference on race day. My engineer, Craig, is an absolute wizard when it comes to setting up the car. His deep understanding of the car’s mechanics, combined with his ability to interpret data and my feedback, allows us to fine-tune the setup in ways that really optimise our performance.
Working alongside Craig is our data engineer, Rob, who plays an equally crucial role. Rob dives into the numbers, pulling out key insights that help us understand exactly how the car is behaving on the track.
After each session, we have a thorough debrief where we take an in-depth look at the key data points. We analyse everything—from sector times to telemetry data—to understand what worked well and what needs improvement. This detailed review process is critical because it allows us to implement the learnings into the next session. We’re constantly refining the car’s setup based on this information, and it’s this approach that helps us get closer to perfection with each run.
The technical prowess of the team at WSR (West Surrey Racing) is another huge factor in our success. Their experience and attention to detail mean that when we arrive at a track, we’re already starting from a strong baseline. By combining their technical expertise with the data-driven adjustments we make throughout the weekend, we’re able to dial in the setup and get the car exactly where it needs to be. This gives me a massive confidence boost, knowing that when I hit the track, the car is performing at its absolute best.
Reflecting on your career, what are some of the most memorable moments or races that stand out to you?
I’ve been fortunate to have so many incredible memories throughout my racing career, but there are definitely a few that stand out as truly special. One of the biggest milestones for me was my maiden appearance in the BTCC. Just making it onto the grid in this championship is a massive achievement, given how competitive it is and the level of effort required to get there. That moment was a dream come true and marked the beginning of an exciting journey.
Of course, my maiden win at Knockhill in 2019 holds a special place in my heart. Knockhill is a track I absolutely love racing at; it’s a circuit that really brings out the best in me. Every time we go there, I find myself in the middle of some amazing battles, and I’ve been lucky enough to secure a few wins there over the years. There’s just something about the atmosphere and the challenge of the track that clicks with me.
However, if I had to choose a single moment that stands out above the rest, it would have to be Thruxton this year. Thruxton had always been a bit of a ‘bogey’ track for me and the team. It’s a circuit that typically favors front-wheel-drive cars, and up until this year, I had never managed to secure a win there. Honestly, I think a lot of people had written us off for that weekend, not expecting us to be at the front, especially given the challenges we faced with limited hybrid power.
But then everything just came together. We managed to qualify in P3 with barely any hybrid power, which was an achievement in itself. And then, to everyone’s surprise, we went on to win the opening two races. It was an incredible feeling, not just because we finally conquered Thruxton, but because we did it against the odds. The best part of it all, though, was after the second race when I brought my son Jude up onto the podium with me. Being able to share that moment with him is a memory I’ll treasure forever. It’s those kinds of moments that make all the hard work and challenges worthwhile.
How important are the roles of the sponsors such as Laser Tools and what else do they bring to the team?
The support from Laser Tools extends well beyond just financial backing; it’s embedded deeply within every facet of our racing program. The enthusiasm and pride that the entire Laser Tools company exhibits for our achievements are genuinely remarkable and contribute significantly to our success.
From the top down, Laser Tools is fully invested in the program. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting numerous team members from across the company, and their commitment to our racing efforts is extremely motivating. Each person I’ve met, whether they’re directly involved in the sponsorship or working behind the scenes, shares a deep sense of pride in what we accomplish on the track. Their enthusiasm is infectious and creates a strong, supportive network that fuels our motivation.
Additionally, Laser Tools contributes to building a strong team spirit. Their involvement in our events and their engagement with fans help create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere around the racing program. The company’s pride in our achievements is evident not only in their public endorsements but also in their internal celebrations and support activities. This creates a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that strengthens the team’s resolve and enhances our overall performance.
Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring drivers who look up to you and wish to pursue a career in motorsport?
For aspiring drivers, the key is to follow your passion for racing and be prepared for relentless hard work and dedication. Always be open to learning and improving your skills, and build strong connections within the industry for support and opportunities. Gain as much experience as possible, starting from grassroots levels, and stay resilient in the face of challenges. Plan your finances carefully to secure funding and manage your budget. Most importantly, enjoy the journey, celebrate your successes, and remember why you fell in love with racing in the first place.