Knockhill driver of the weekend Rob Austin hopes to continue on from his superb performances at Fife with more success at this weekend’s eighth British Touring Car Championship meeting of the season at Rockingham.
The WIX Racing man was the star of the weekend at Knockhill in August, a maiden pole position being followed by a pair of podium finishes in a career-best meeting at Scotland.
Austin also came closest to his first ever BTCC victory at Rockingham during his 2011 debut season, pressuring eventual race three winner James Nash all the way to the chequered flag. Now in a purple patch of form, the Audi favourite feels that he can again fight for that first win this weekend at a circuit which often proves kind to rear-wheel-drive machines.
“I think we could be in reasonable shape again, particularly in race trim provided it stays dry”, pondered a reasonably confident Austin.
“The track surface is very abrasive which should favour the rear-wheel-drive machinery. I think there could be some very interesting final few laps if the RWD cars are hovering near the front after two thirds distance.”
Austin hopes to round the week off in style, after starting it in similar fashion with the premier of Ron Howard‘s unique film Rush – based on the 1976 Formula 1 season battle between James Hunt and Niki Lauda – in which Austin himself plays the part of another driver, Brett Lunger, one of those involved in Lauda’s Nurburgring crash and subsequent rescue scenes.
“All I can say is what a night!” enthused Rob following the exclusive film screening. “So many thanks to so many people, particularly to WIX, the Regal and Studio Canal for giving us a sneak copy of the film.
“And of course to all our great fans who came along – some from the other end of the UK. It’s impossible to mention everyone but they know who they are.”
Austin welcomed around 300 guests to Regal Cinema in his Evesham hometown last weekend for the screening, with close to £20,000 being raised for charity by the WIX Racing team from the event to go towards Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, HomeHelps UK and The Vale of Evesham School.
