![Rob Austin, Exocet Racing [Rob Austin Racing], Audi A4](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Austin.jpg "Photo: Matt Auger")
Rob Austin will return to the British Touring Car Championship in 2013 in one of the Rob Austin Racing Audi A4’s with Will Bratt in the sister car. Wix Filters have joined the team for a full campaign, after their toe in the water exercise at Brands Hatch for the 2012 season finale.
Since joining the grid in 2011, this is the first time that the team has announced its driver line up this early into the year and for Austin, 2013 promises to be an exciting year for him and the team.
“The partnership with WIX is fantastic for us and will provide the stability we need to be able to concentrate on winning races,” comments Austin. “It also allows us to take big steps forward in the development of the car. I have always maintained that the potential is there to win races, this year we will show it. 2013 promises to be an exciting year. I am really looking forward to the challenge of the BTCC – and also seeing my face on the big screen with the release of Ron Howard’s new Formula 1 movie Rush.”
Joining Austin for a second season in the BTCC is former Single Seater racer Will Bratt. Having completed a partial campaign in 2012, Bratt is excited for the forthcoming campaign.
“I can’t wait to get started, I really enjoyed the racing last year and the prospect of a full season is tremendous. The development of the car will allow us to compete at the sharp end,” added Bratt, who took a best result of 8th on his debut at Oulton Park.
Austin is also pleased that Bratt is returning for 2013 and predicts big things from his team-mate: “Having Will back for a full season is fantastic news. He is a great driver and is going to surprise a lot of people this season. He was unlucky not to get some better results last year, but he did show how quick he can be. Mark my words, he’s a quality driver.”
The team also confirmed that they are changing their engine builders for the 2013 campaign. Field Motorsport is developing their own variant of the 2.0l turbocharged engine, having looked after the Lehman built units from the middle of the 2012 campaign.