Experienced GT racer Hunter Abbott has been announced to race the second Rob Austin Racing Audi A4 in the 2014 British Touring Car Championship.
Abbott, 33, brings with him major sponsorship from alcohol breathalyser manufacturer AlcoSense, where he is the Managing Director.
Abbott admits that he has long held a desire to race in the BTCC, having previously competed in the British GT Championship and more recently in the Ginetta GT Supercup in 2012.
“Watching the BTCC in the Nineties is what made me want to race in the first place,” said Abbott. “Racing in the BTCC is the realisation of part of a childhood dream and finally I’ve got an opportunity to do it – and with a team that’s clearly on the up.”
It will not be the first time that Austin and Abbott have been partnered together, with the first occasion coming almost six years ago.
“The deal has come together quite late but I got my first run in the Audi (Thursday at Rockingham) and I’m pleased with how it went,” added Abbott. “Rob and I shared a car in 2008 in British GT and we like the same things. The power delivery in a turbo car took some getting used to but I immediately felt at home in the Audi.”
Austin is looking forward to having the Maidenhead racer as his team-mate for 2014, with the season starting in just over two weeks time at Brands Hatch.
“I’m very excited about having Hunter in the team – particularly having seen how quickly he got into the groove at Rockingham in less than ideal track conditions,” said Austin. “He’s driven for me in the past and always been very rapid. All the team are immediately very impressed with his approach and we’re looking forward to the season together.”
Rob Austin Racing will unveil their liveries for the 2014 season at next week’s official BTCC media day at Donington Park.