Abbott to continue at RAR
Worcestershire team Rob Austin Racing will continue with its 2014 driver line-up of Rob Austin and Hunter Abbott in 2015’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Ahead of the new season the RAR team is setting its sights on a thorough pre-season testing programme of both of its Audi A4s as Austin and Abbott seek to improve considerably on 2014’s results.
“2014 was my first season in the BTCC and a learning year," said Hunter Abbott. "The BTCC is like nothing else – the depth of competition and driving skill is among the highest of any motor racing championship in the world and you have to race harder and more ruthlessly than any other championship I’ve been in. Give an inch and someone will have a nose in there in a nano-second.
“I was happy to have finished in the points at my first ever BTCC event last year and the highlights for me were Rockingham and Croft where I overtook 17 cars in one race. With a year’s experience under my belt and the changes that Rob has made to both the team and the cars during the winter break I am really excited about returning for 2015. I’m going after consistently strong results across all 30 races and believe that podiums are a realistic target as well.”
Austin, also Team Principal, added: “The whole team is delighted to have Hunter back on board. He is a great driver, a great guy, a great friend and everyone in the team loves him. He almost won the Jack Sears Trophy and overtook more drivers than any other rookie in 2014. There were some very strong results – I am confident he can become one of the stand-out names in touring car in 2015.
“Certainly we have been working damned hard behind the scenes to give Hunter a car that can enable him to fight for big results on a much more consistent basis – things will become clearer on that front in the coming weeks and certainly on Media Day when we unveil the Audis in full 2015-specification.
“Hunter’s determination is also helping me raise my own game. I felt I dropped the ball a few times in 2014 and do not intend doing that again this year – I’ve already lost 10kgs since November as part of a fitness regime I’m on!
“Finally we just wouldn’t be here without our loyal sponsors Exocet, AlcoSense and DUO. They’ve given us the stability to really press ahead with developments to the cars for the new season – a luxury we didn’t have going into 2014. We’ve also entered a new and very exciting partnership with Coventry University and their excellent technical facilities – again resources we’ve not previously had at our disposal.
“I’m not making any predictions about the season ahead. All I will say is I sense that we have a great opportunity and it’s up to us to maximise that.”