Rob Austin: “We’re literally the people’s team”

A grateful Rob Austin says he now feels like the driver in “the people’s team” – after admitting he wouldn’t be racing without the support of his fans.

Austin announced a two-year title sponsorship deal with Fast Exocet at last week’s Autosport International Show, following the setback of losing previous sponsor WIX.

And the Audi A4 racer says a new initiative, which allows people to purchase shares in Rob Austin Racing, is another step towards more fan involvement.

The Government-supported Enterprise Initiative Scheme allows fans to reclaim 30 per cent of their investment against tax, and is believed to be the first of its kind in motor sport.

Ever the straight talker, Austin succinctly described the loss of WIX as “a big kick in the nuts”, but was equally forthcoming in his praise for his new backers.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes at the Autosport International show, he said: “Exocet are ever so supportive, and have been with us for a while now. Once the opportunity came about for the title sponsorship at the end of last season, it really showed them the potential reach we have.

“They jumped at the opportunity, and it is a serious commitment of two years. It is the first time we have had anything like that, so we are very excited.”

Regarding the fans’ support, Austin added: “Literally we would not be here if it wasn’t for the fans. The amount of times that I’ve cocked up, or a sponsor has pulled out, they have saved us.

“Humbling is the only word I can use to describe it. The support we get blows me away.

“People seemed to love the roof scheme, so that is back by popular demand. And we have worked really hard to get approval for the government enterprise initiative scheme.

“What it allows us to do is offer way more back. Rather than £35 to get on the roof, you now get entered into draws to win all sorts of fantastic prizes. And 30 per cent of that, we can claim back the tax.

“And you will own shares in Rob Austin Racing – so it literally will be the people’s team.”

Thoughts now turn to what Austin can achieve on the circuit in 2014, where he will again run a pair of NGTC Audi A4s.

He said: “Every year we have done this we have had big rule changes. What that does is sap our test budget. Last year we just did one test day, which was media day at Donington. And it is tough enough as I engineer my own car.

“We are quite excited as this year the rules have remained the same, and all our time and effort over the winter we can spend making the car faster.

“I think last year we proved that when we get it right, we can do it. The list of car builders that won races last year was WSR, Triple Eight, Dynamics – and a bunch of idiots in a shed in Pershore!

“To be part of that, we are pretty proud.”

Regarding his aims for 2014, Austin said: “I’m certainly not making predictions. I’ve got targets in my head, but I am keeping them to myself, and I will just work as hard as I can with what I have got available to me.

“I do think we can be more consistent, rather than massive ups and downs. Silverstone was gutting off the back of Rockingham, and it was horrible.

“But we are going testing there at the end of the month, and to be able to turn up knowing what we are doing with the setup, will be a big benefit.”

Work is also continuing on putting a deal together for Austin’s team-mate, with Jake Hill in the frame following his impressive cameo at Brands Hatch last October.

Austin said: “Jake did a blinding job for us, and I would love to have him on board. But it is a lot of money to run these things, and it is not a five-minute job to put these deals together.

“We are talking to him, among others, and I am working on it. These things have a habit of randomly working themselves out.”