Rob Austin: “We’re understanding this front-wheel drive lark”

Handy Motorsport’s Rob Austin will start the first race at Brands Hatch from a season’s best second on the grid, after a second half of the season which has seen a swift rate of improvement in his form.

Austin qualified third in his Toyota Avensis in the rain-hit 30 minute qualifying session, but was promoted to the front row following the exclusion of fellow Avensis driver Tom Ingram.

It follows a strong showing at Silverstone two weeks ago, where Austin took his second podium of the year and had strong pace throughout.

“We had a rough start to the year but I don’t think anyone can argue we’ve made a very consistent rate of improvement in the second half of the year,” said Austin to TouringCarTimes.

“Every round we find something major and we’re getting to understand the front-wheel drive lark now.

“Silverstone might not have gone our way but the pace was still there, and it was nice to be able to prove it here.”

Austin was one of several drivers who felt he may have missed his best opportunity to set a lap at the end of the session, but was able to salvage it in some style.

“After that first run I didn’t get a second lap so I was very relieved to get the second run in, and it went really well,” he said.