Re-shelled Rob Austin Racing Audi ready for testing

Rob Austin says six planned test days will enable his team to be “better prepared than ever before” for the start of the new British Touring Car Championship season.

Austin was speaking as his Audi A4 was rolled out of his team’s Pershore workshop in a striking all-black livery, ahead of a planned first run today.

Both the Rob Austin Racing A4s, dubbed Sherman and Panzer, have been stripped bare after returning from the paint shop, and completely rebuilt.

Austin said: “Since we joined the BTCC in 2011 this will be the first time we’ve gone into a season with some proper testing under our belt – we actually have six dates in all earmarked between now and media day in mid-March.

“Plus, for the first time, the NGTC technical regulations have effectively remained unchanged for rear-wheel-drive cars which means we at last have a proper benchmark – last year’s performances – to go by. We should be better prepared than ever before.”

Austin also had kind words for his team over the preparation of the car.

“The boys have done an amazing job – a work of art inside and out. This lifts everyone’s spirits even higher before we’ve even turned a wheel,” he said.