Rob Austin says he is aiming for “solid points finishes” in the British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park this weekend, as he looks to ramp up his season now that some of his bogey circuits are behind him.
Austin claims that the circuits used by the previous two events, at Thruxton and Donington Park respectively, have never suited his Audi A4. Prior to 2015, the Evesham racer had never finished in the top ten at either circuit, and having taken a pair of top ten results in the past two events, Austin insists that he has good reason to be confident going forwards.
“Our car has never suited Donington or Thruxton but this year we picked up more points there than ever before,” said Austin, who is 14th overall in the championship. “After the damage limitation exercise now we need to maximise our strong circuits to get ourselves back up there in the championship.
“Last year we had three top five finishes including a podium at Oulton Park and whilst we are on a different circuit layout this year I still believe we will have a strong car.
“I need some strong points finishes from Oulton and then I believe we can fight potentially fight for victory at Croft.”
Austin explains that his Audi has always been affected more than his opposition by the unique characteristics of each circuit, and has come to accept that he cannot be quick everywhere.
“It might sound strange believing we can do so well at these two circuits when we’ve only just scraped a top ten at Donington and Thruxton but the Audi has always been affected more than most by different types of circuit. So although we work very hard to try and make it fast everywhere unfortunately that’s just the way it is.
“On saying all that, I’m really looking forward – as I think any racing driver does – to competing at Oulton Park. It’s a fantastic driver’s circuit – properly old school – and attracts the biggest BTCC crowd of the year. The atmosphere is second to none.”
Austin’s team-mate Hunter Abbott has already got his season off to a stronger start than at the same time in 2014, having taken four points finishes already. The 34-year-old is hoping to capitalise on the A4’s historical good form at Oulton Park, where Austin took it to a second-place finish in 2014.
“The Exocet AlcoSense Audi has traditionally been strong at Oulton Park,” said Abbott. “Unfortunately last year I had technical difficulties which meant I missed practice. In a series as tough as the BTCC this is difficult to recover from and I didn’t really get the results I think we could have achieved.
“Sherman and Panzer are capable front runners at Oulton and I love the circuit’s old school quirks and ballsy corners – I’m looking forward to getting back there.”