PERSHORE-based Rob Austin Racing will run both their Audi A4s — for Austin himself and Will Bratt — in this weekend’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship round at North Yorkshire’s Croft Circuit.

Austin confirmed that, after a hugely promising debut at Oulton Park, international single-seater convert Bratt will stay on for Croft.

Austin is also returning to action after missing Oulton while his car was being rebuilt following a heavy crash earlier in the season.

It will be the first time this year that RAR has fielded both their cars in a round of the BTCC and Austin hopes it marks a defining moment in his Worcestershire team’s history. He said: “It was at Croft last year the Audi started to show what it might be capable of and, 12 months on, it’s a much faster car all together.

“I’m confident Will and I will be competitive this weekend. We’re both very capable drivers and we know the Audi is a very fast car which, due to some bad luck, just hasn’t been seen yet — but Croft is a rear-wheel-drive friendly circuit so hopefully this could be where it finally happens.”

He added: “Honestly, I don’t care who comes out on top between Will and I because this is much more about properly establishing the team in the BTCC and ensuring it remains in the championship well into the future.

“On saying that it probably will be Will who’s ahead! He showed massive potential on his debut at Oulton and, had it not been for the setback in race two, he might well have ended his day with a podium result.

“He could have a very successful touring car career ahead of him and if that’s the case then I hope it’s with RAR.”

Another Worcestershire racer, reigning champion Matt Neal, will be hoping to reclaim the drivers’ championship lead from his Honda Yuasa Racing team-mate Gordon Shedden this weekend.

Five points currently separate the two Pershore-based drivers with Jason Plato of the MG KX Momentum Racing team a further seven points behind in third.

All three drivers have achieved double victories at Croft during their careers, although Plato has not sprayed the victory champagne there since 2006.

Two other drivers on the current BTCC grid, Andrew Jordan in his Pirtek Racing Honda and Mat Jackson in his Redstone Racing Ford Focus, have also previously won around Croft.

Robert Collard, in fourth, finished on the podium in all three races at Croft last year in his eBay Motors BMW but has still to break his winning duck at the track.