Leading Ginetta team Rob Austin Racing will step up to the BTCC next year after ambitious plans were unveiled today. The team, fronted by racing driver Rob Austin, plan to enter two NGTC-specification Audi A4’s built independently by GPR Motorsport.
Although an independent entry, it marks the first time since 1998 that Audi will be represented on the BTCC grid. Audi’s last spell in the BTCC was as a works entry which lasted for three years between 1996 and 1998 and many fans will be delighted to see the famous German marque once again represented on the BTCC grids.
“This is a great step for us and a fantastic challenge,” said team principal Rob Austin. “We are convinced that the NGTC concept is going to make the BTCC even more competitive and exciting and that the Audi will be a race winner.”
The team are hoping to take delivery of the cars from GPR Motorsport in March 2011 and Gary Blackham from GPR added: “We are pleased that Rob has made the decision to join the BTCC. We are delighted to be building the cars and are sure that they will be competitive from the outset.”
No drivers have yet been announced for the team although an announcement is expected at January’s Autosport International Show.
The team have released an artist’s impression, although it is not representative of how the final NGTC car will look. The artist impression below is in actual fact based on an Audi A4 currently racing in the Italian Superstars Series.
