Excoet Racing’s Rob Austin says that he is “back where he belongs” after his strongest weekend in the British Touring Car Championship so far this season, taking home a podium and a brace of fifth place finishes.
The Evesham racer was on the pace throughout the weekend, qualifying in a season-best sixth position for the first race of the day. Austin made up one position in the opening race which, unusually for the BTCC, was devoid of much overtaking action.
Race two saw Austin use his rear-wheel drive start advantage to immediately jump up to third, ahead of MG’s Jason Plato. The Audi driver managed to keep the MG driver at bay and later inherited second when Rob Collard was penalised for having passed under the safety car.
Austin went on to finish fifth in the final race of the day on a wet circuit, improving from his grid positions by two places.
“It’s been an awesome weekend for the team and all our great sponsors and fans,” said a delighted Austin. “The pace has been there in both wet and dry conditions and we’re right back where we belong – right towards the front – and that is against some world class opposition.
“Race one was pretty lonely for me and race three was all about not dropping it in very difficult conditions. Race two of course has been our big highlight. Holding off Jason was key, but boy did he put me through the ringer!
“Collard then slowed too early before we got to the safety car signals so I was straight past – when he re-overtook me after we’d past the first signal I knew he’d be penalised but I still had Jason to deal with when the race re-started. The chequered flag was a welcome sight.”
Austin hailed the support of his fans after his first podium of the year in race two – the eighth of his BTCC career.
“Perhaps an even bigger high than when I crossed the line was the reaction from the crowd around the podium,” enthused Austin. “I was blown away by how many people there were and the noise they made for us. It’s been a fantastic day and Croft, which is next up in three weeks, is another strong circuit for the Audi…”
It was a less fortunate weekend for Austin’s team-mate Hunter Abbott, who endured problems with his car in qualifying on Saturday. He finished outside the points in the opening two races of the day before retiring with accident damage in the final race.
“It’s frustrating as I believe there was an opportunity for a top ten in qualifying and in a couple of the races as well,” said Abbott. “But it’s important to look at the bigger picture and I’m sure at Croft we will have a much better time of it.”