By Tarek Ramchami
The third BTCC race of the day was a hard one for Rob Austin. The #13 WIX Racing Audi A4 NGTC had a DNF in race 2 and was forced to start from the back of the pack.
As was the case in the first two races, Rob Austin had a phenomenal start. The Audi driver was able to jump into the middle of the group in only a single lap. Entering lap two Rob Austin collected a spinning Toyota Avensis, the #17 car of Dave Newsham. The Audi hit both the Toyota and a barrier, coming to a stop in the middle of the track. Rob Austin was OK but the car is heavily damaged. Another case of contact with a Toyota and a second straight DNF.
Rob Austin himself was very disappointed when he spoke to ITV4: "We are very disappointed. We had a very quick car today and I believe we are going to suffer next time by"
Will Bratt with the sister #14 Audi A4 finished in fourteenth, not bad after all the drama he faced in the second race. The race win went to Matt Neal with the factory Honda Civic ahead of team mate Gordon Shedden, third was Sam Tordoff with the MG.
The Brands Hatch weekend was a mixed one for Rob Austin Racing. A lot of bad luck prevented the team from scoring big points and taking more podiums. Yet the car is very quick, Rob Austin's performances and lap times are more than proof that the 2013 updated Audi A4 is a front running machine. Next stop for the British Touring Car Championship is in three weeks time at Donington Park.
Race 3 results are here
Photo credit: Phil Laughton Photography
