Robb Holland hopes for greater Audi involvement in BTCC

Robb Holland is hoping his full-time foray into the BTCC will attract greater involvement from Audi in years to come, following the announcement that he is to race the German marque’s S3 saloon in the 2014 championship.

The 46-year-old American will be the first driver from across the pond to compete full-time in the BTCC, running the newly-launched S3 with his Rotek Racing team.

Holland says the move is a continuation of a good working relationship with Audi, which recently saw him take victory in the 25 hours of Thunderhill, alongside team-mates including 2012 world touring car champion, Rob Huff.

He told TouringCarTimes that Audi was interested in becoming more involved in the championship in the future.

Speaking at the Autosport International Show, Holland said: “We have some really good relationships with them, and every time we have come to them with a project they have been receptive.

“We brought them the BTCC project, and they said ‘we can get some chassis for you, and give you a little technical support’.

“It is probably not any more than any of the other teams are getting, but we hope to try and get them more involved down the road.

“It is something they are interested in, and obviously Audi has a history here, so it would be nice to get them back.”

For now, Rotek Racing’s priority is to get the S3 ready as quickly as possible, with the start of the season little over two months away.

Holland said: “The fact that we are finally here is awesome – it has been a long time coming. The thought was that we plan this, take it nice and easy and learn a little here and there, until we get to the point where we can make the commitment to do a full season.

“Obviously this was a long process, and we had to wait until the series announced licences for all teams before we could commence the build.

“Then we had to wait for Audi to get us a chassis, because these aren’t cars which are available right now. So obviously that pushes things back a bit.

“We’re good, but we are going to have to push really hard to make media day, and the first round at Brands.”

Holland confirmed the team would use the Swindon-built 2.0 turbo engine in the S3, and said he was looking forward to the challenges ahead of him in 2014.

He said: “We will run a Swindon engine for the first year. We have got a new car, and the last thing you want to do is a new engine project at the same time.

“The Swindon engine is the spec engine, and has been well sorted over the past few years. It is probably the most powerful in the series as well. It was a no-brainer.

“For me it is going to be interesting. I have done Snetterton and Knockhill, and some testing at Brands – and I don’t know any of the other circuits in the UK!

“Not only are we developing a new car, but I am learning a bunch of new tracks at the same time.

“It is going to be a fun year. It is going to be challenging for me as a driver, but I think that is what drivers want. I am really looking forward to it.”