Rob Austin - Racing Biography

Rob first entered the world of competitive motor sport back in the dark ages of 1985 when he competed in the Pre 74 National Formula Ford Championship. In 1989, having finished the season 6th in the championship, Rob joined the battle for the URS Formula Ford 2000 Championship where he competed until 1991, regularly achieving top six finishes.

With 7 seasons of competitive racing behind him Rob set up his own team – Startline Racing – running Formula Renault single seaters in the National and European Championships and in 1994 won the class B championship with Ricky Flynn at the wheel.

Other notable names to take up grid positions with the Startline Racing include Andy Priaux (current European BMW touring car driver), Alex Yoong (former Minardi formula one driver) and Edward Horner (multiple Karting and sports car champion).

In 1998 Rob formed Promodrive Management Services which, to this date, assists young drivers in career development in the world of motor sport.

In 2004 Rob returned to competitive racing in the John Cooper Challenge and was soon making his mark. In only his second season he finished as runner-up in the Championship going on to finish 10th in the World rankings.

2007 saw Rob taking on yet another challenge by moving into the Blaupunkt Seat Cupra Championship with his team Startline Services and team-mate and fellow Romsey Rugby Club stalwart Eric Bailey.

In 2008, Rob has set himself a new challenge of competing in Europe in the Benelux Renault Clio Championship. Not content with that challenge, and with the added encouragement of his son Simon who is competing in the 2008 Ginetta Junior Championship, a support series for the British Touring Cars, Rob has launched Team RSA to encourage the development of more drivers and to offer hospitality opportunities at some of Europe's top racing venues.