By Johan Laubscher
The Autosport International Show got underway on Thursday. It was a big
day for 2014 British Touring Car Championship announcements. Two Audi teams announced their plans for the 2014 BTCC season.
Rob Austin Racing:
Rob Austin Racing
got the day going with their presentation at the Dunlop BTCC stand. They revealed
one of their Audi A4 NGTC cars with a familiar Exocet livery. It was announced
that Rob Austin Racing, who had parted ways with their previous title sponsor, will be returning with two cars and that they had signed a
two-year deal with Exocet Racing.
The Exocet branding first appeared on one of the Rob Austin Racing cars
at the final round of the 2013 BTCC season, when Jake Hill drove for the team
at Brands Hatch.
Rob Austin will again be piloting one of the team’s two Audis and their
second driver will be announced later.
Rob Austin Racing debuted with their Audi A4 NGTC race cars during the 2011 BTCC season. They took the first Audi BTCC victory since 1997, when Rob Austin won at Rockingham last year.
The Rob Austin Racing press release can be seen HERE.
Rotek Racing:
The Audi related BTCC news continued at the Autosport International Show on Thursday. Rotek Racing closed off a very busy day of various team’s announcing their 2014 plans. Towards the end of 2013 it emerged that Rotek Racing was seriously considering a 2014 BTCC program. At first it was mentioned that up to two Rotek Racing Audi A3 or S3 sedans could possibly be built to the NGTC regulations.
On Thursday Rotek Racing officially announced their 2014 BTCC program.
They will be fielding one Audi S3 sedan for Robb Holland. Their project is
mentioned to also have support from Audi Sport customer racing.
Along with their 2014 BTCC program they have also mentioned some of
their other 2014 plans, which include an arsenal of Audi cars. They will continue
to field their Audi TT RS, which was seen in the 2013 VLN and won the 25 Hours
of Thunderhill in December last year. They will also be adding two new cars to
their arsenal, an Audi R8 LMS ultra and an Audi RS 4, both of which will be
seen at the Bathurst 12 Hour in February, according to the current entry list.
Rotek Racing has mentioned that their Audi RS 4 will be competing in the 2014
VLN Endurance Championship and the R8 LMS ultra will be seen at various
international endurance races.
Rotek Racing will also be asking fans to vote for their favourite 2014 livery. The twelve possible Audi S3 liveries will be voted for
via social media, which the team will be announcing soon.
The Rotek Racing press release can be seen HERE.
Two Audi teams confirming their participation in the 2014 BTCC is certainly very exciting news for Audi touring car fans.
Photo credit:
BAM Motorsports Group
Photo credit:
BAM Motorsports Group
