Rob Austin Racing Press Release
- Team has worked flat out to be ready for UK's fastest race track
Worcestershire’s Official BTCC star Rob Austin will contest this weekend’s (Sat 3/Sun 4 May) three latest races at the Thruxton Race Circuit in Hampshire after working round the clock to have his Exocet Racing Audi race car fixed in time.
The Rob Austin Racing mechanics have worked several all-nighters in their Pershore workshops since the most recent event (ten days ago at Donington Park) when the Audi, nicknamed Sherman, suffered considerable rear-end damage after being rammed by another car.
“The damage was worse than we first thought but the work that’s gone in since Donington has been unbelievable and yet again my crew have done the most remarkable job in the timeframe,” comments Rob. “After the graft the lads have put in the least I can do now is go to Thruxton and drive the hell out of it.”
Rob says that Thruxton is his favourite circuit on the calendar, even if on paper it doesn’t favour the Audi.
“The speeds are incredibly high all the way round the lap – we’re nudging 150mph in some places with some of the corners taken at over 130mph. It requires massive balls as well as huge respect and that’s why I absolutely love it. It really sorts the men from the boys.
“I’ve gone well in everything else I’ve raced there but for some reason it remains a bogey circuit for our Audi in the BTCC. The rear-wheel-drive configuration we run seems to put us at a disadvantage there against the front-wheel-drive cars which make up the vast majority of the grid (30-plus cars) so it could be a bit of a damage-limitation exercise.
“However, I’m sure my grid girl Sophie Coombs who runs Thruxton’s skid pan driving experience can pass on a few nifty tips!”
See Hunter Abbott Racing for more Thruxton preview notes.
Timetable: Rob Austin Racing, Thruxton BTCC, 3/4 May 2014
Saturday: 10.00am Free Practice Session 1 (40mins); 12.40pm Free Practice Session 2 (40mins); 3.55pm Qualifying (30mins)
Sunday: 9.45am-10.20am Pit Lane Autograph Session; 12.10pm BTCC Race 1; 2.30pm BTCC Race 2; 5.15pm BTCC Race 3 (all races 16 laps/37.76 miles)
ITV Timings
Here's how to watch out for the RAR Audis at Thruxton this weekend with ITV Sport.
Qualifying Live (Saturday): 3.50pm-4.30pm on www.itv.com/btcc
Race Day Live (Sunday): 11.00am-6.30pm ITV4 (simulcast on itv.com)
Photo credit: Phil Laughton Photography
