31 March 2026|News
Hilton & Moss win first race of 2026
Last Sunday marked the first competitive outing of the year for Hilton & Moss, as the team returned to the track with the Lotus Emira GT4 for the opening round of the Liqui Moly Slicks Championship at Donington Park Circuit.
After a long winter break, anticipation was high within the team. Pre-season preparation had focused on ensuring the Emira GT4 was fully dialled in, with detailed checks and setup work carried out in the workshop ahead of the event. With William Garrett and Tim Crighton back behind the wheel, it didn’t take long for both drivers to find their rhythm and build confidence as the weekend got underway.
Qualifying took place in dry but cool conditions, offering a good opportunity to establish a baseline for the car’s performance. The Emira GT4 showed strong pace early on, with William and Tim working together to extract the most from the package. By the end of the session, the car had secured an impressive 5th place on the grid and 2nd in class, a promising start against a highly competitive field.
As the team prepared for the race, conditions began to change dramatically. Dark clouds rolled in and heavy rain followed, transforming the circuit and presenting an entirely new challenge. The Hilton & Moss Motorsport team responded quickly, making the crucial decision to switch from slick tyres to wets, while also adjusting the suspension and braking setup to suit the slippery surface. These changes would prove vital once the race got underway.
William took the start and immediately settled into a strong rhythm, navigating the challenging conditions with confidence. The grid featured a formidable mix of machinery, including high-performance models from BMW, Porsche and Lamborghini, making track position hard fought throughout the opening stint. Despite the difficult weather, William maintained consistent pace and kept the Emira firmly in contention before bringing the car into the pits for the scheduled driver change.
A smooth and efficient pit stop allowed Tim to take over seamlessly. With standing water and gusting winds making visibility and grip unpredictable, the conditions demanded precision and patience. After a few laps to fully adapt, Tim began to push, demonstrating the car’s capability in adverse weather. The Emira GT4 proved well balanced and composed, allowing Tim to build pace as the race progressed.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Tim delivered a standout performance, setting a fastest lap of 1:19.000. It was a time that underlined both driver confidence and the car’s capability, and crucially, it remained unbeaten for the remainder of the race.
As the chequered flag fell, the Emira crossed the line 1st in class and 6th overall, marking an excellent result for the team’s first outing of the season. It was a performance defined by adaptability, teamwork and strong execution in challenging conditions.
The result provides a solid foundation for the rest of the championship, with both car and drivers demonstrating clear potential. With valuable points secured and confidence high, Hilton & Moss now look ahead to the next round, building on a successful start to the 2026 season.
