Exocet AlcoSense driver Hunter Abbott will race in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) meeting at Knockhill, after a deal to replace him for one meeting, planned due to his wife expecting their first child, fell through.
Abbott had been planning not to race in the championship’s annual trip north of the border as his wife Susie is expecting their first child. However the deal with a potential replacement driver fell through, leaving the team with no other option to race their second Audi.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances last week, the deal fell through with the driver who was to going to stand in for me,” explained Abbott. “We searched for another suitable driver but could not find someone before Tuesday, which was the last opportunity to get some running in the car before Knockhill.
“As a result I will be racing the #54 Exocet AlcoSense Audi at the weekend with my fingers crossed that the little one doesn’t decide to make an appearance over the weekend and Susie will be at home watching the racing on ITV4, hopefully with her legs crossed!”
Regarding the team’s prospects at the Scottish circuit, team boss Rob Austin has stopped short of predicting another front row qualifying effort – despite having qualified his Audi on pole in 2013 and second in 2014.
“We’ve not got the fastest car in 2015 but at Knockhill the Audi has always gone extremely well – we’ve even been on the front row of the grid in qualifying the last two years,” added Austin, who has been on the podium in four of his last six races at the track. “It’s clear that the whole BTCC grid has moved on in terms of pace and development – including ourselves – but let’s just see where we can get to this weekend.
“I’d love to think that Hunter and I can be up near the front where I feel the team thoroughly deserves to be and two top tens a fortnight ago at Snetterton, a circuit that is one of our weakest, surpassed our expectations.
“As well as its unpredictable weather which can really spice things up, Knockhill also has a reputation for throwing up plenty of controversial incidents. Finding that clear lap – never easy on such a cramped track lay-out – and qualifying well on Saturday to give yourself the best chance possible of three relatively clear races on Sunday will be very important.”