Friday, January 31, 2014

BTCC: Austin "delighted" with 2014 Audi at Silverstone

  Friday, January 31, 2014      

Rob Austin Racing Press Release
  • 'Sherman' stuns driver on first run of workshop

Worcestershire’s Rob Austin reckons he and his Exocet Racing-backed team are set for their most competitive Official BTCC season yet after a highly encouraging first test of the year in his Audi Sherman at British F1 Grand Prix circuit Silverstone.

Despite streaming wet conditions Austin completed plenty of laps around the world-famous Northamptonshire venue’s short National circuit which will be raced on by the BTCC later in the season. The Audi ran in a sinister all-black livery – it’s final colourscheme won't be unveiled until the BTCC’s Media Day launch at Official Donington Park Racing on 18 March.

Austin, also the team principal and who even drives his own transporter to events, is hoping to surpass his results of 2013 when he achieved both a breakthrough maiden pole position and race win in Britain's premier motor racing championship which is screened live on ITV4.

Ahead of his 33rd birthday tomorrow, the Pershore racer declared: “We’re already ahead of the game. Sherman has run perfectly straight out of the box and just feels more sorted than ever. The team have done a brilliant job in the build of the car – it’s a real work of art.

“Even though it’s been wet and cold here at Silverstone, we’ve still gathered some valuable data and worked through a number of set-up changes which have told us a lot. Plus, as a driver, it’s great to blow away the cobwebs. This is the first time our team has had the luxury of a proper pre-season testing programme for touring cars – we have another six or so test days still to come – and I’m delighted by where we are already.”