Rob Austin Racing confirm RWD and custom engines

BTCC newcomers Rob Austin Racing have announced they plan to run custom developed 2.0 litre engines in their debut season as well as rear-wheel drive Audi A4s.

The team will use engines developed by Stockport based Ric Wood Motorsport in their Audi A4 chassis cars, which will be developed to the new NGTC engine specification.

This means there will be two development streams for Volkswagen-Audi Group engines with Special Tuning Racing & AmD Milltek Racing developing a seperate unit.

“We have considered a number of options including the TOCA engine but felt that the Audi A4 should have a VW/Audi group engine and that it should be prepared by someone that we know and trust,” said Team Principal Rob Austin.

The team has also surprisingly confirmed that the car in development by GPR Motorsport, who have built the Toyota Avensis for Dynojet Racing and Speedworks Motorsport, will feature a rear-wheel drive configuration, in difference to the A4’s usual front-wheel or all-wheel drive layout.

“We can’t wait for the season to get under way so that we can prove that the decision to go with the Rear Wheel Drive A4 was the right choice.” added Austin.

Engine partner Ric Wood added “I am delighted and excited to get the opportunity to show our skills in the BTCC. I feel certain that the Audi A4 with Ric Wood power is going to be the perfect car to demonstrate the
effectiveness of the NGTC regulations.”