Sunday, September 15, 2013

BTCC: Rob Austin made history for Audi by winning Rockingham race 2


By Tarek Ramchani

Rob Austin just made history at Rockingahm. The team owner and driver of the Audi A4 NGTC won with style the second race of the day.

"Sherman" lead the race from the green lights to the checkered flag. Starting from third place, Rob Austin jumped took the race lead in the first hairpin passing both Mat Jackson's Ford Focus and race 1 winner Andrew Jordan and his Honda Civic.

Rob Austin was simply flying on track with a very strong pace. Only Honda's man Gordon Shedden was able to follow him, but was never able to challenge the Audi driver. Rob Austin crossed the finish line victorious with a 4-second gap ahead of the Honda Civic of the 2012 BTCC champion.

This was the first Audi BTCC victory since 1997. The last time that an Audi was victorious in the BTCC was Frank Biela driving an Audi A4 quattro STW in race one at Brands Hatch held on 7 September 1997.

Will Bratt with the second Audi A4 NGTC unfortunatelly did not start the race.

Photo credit: Phil Laughton Photography