BACKGROUND

Team RSA was formed in 2007 by Rob Austin to run cars in the new Renault Clio Cup Championship.

Running from their purpose built workshop facilities in Hampshire, the Team was initially put together by Rob to gain experience in one of the most competitive and also popular series in Europe.

For 2008 the team concentrated on the Belgium Clip Cup Championship, although did take part in the World Series Event held at Silverstone in July. 

During 2008 the team established a good reputation and built up enough technical experience to achieve their ultimate goal of a podium finish in the eleventh round of the Championship held at Spa Francorchamps in October.  Indeed, Stefan Hodgett who was driving for the team lead the final race of the season and was unfortunate to finish in 4th position.

In 2009 Team RSA entered the extremely popular Elise Trophy Championship to gain experience with a view to running two cars in 2010.

For 2010 the Team have run Rob Austin successfully at the front of the Championship and now wish to expand to a two car team.  With this in mind Team RSA purchased another race prepared Lotus Elise S1 Championship car and are now actively seeking drivers to either compete in the Elise Trophy or Lotus Cup Europe, as well as novice drivers wishing to gain experience by running on individual track days.

Lotus On Track run well in excess of 100 track days per annum.  Many of these are catered for the novice driver.

ROB AUSTIN – TEAM PRINCIPAL

Rob has over 20 years experience both as a single seater and saloon car racer, but also more importantly as a team owner.

Rob started racing in Formula Ford 1600 in the early 1980’s. He was consistently in the top 6 finishers in the days when there used to be 80 cars competing at a weekend. Rob then raced successfully in Formula Ford 2000 before ‘semi retiring’ to set up Startline Racing Services, who again had a close affiliation with Renault UK. In 1994 Startline Racing Services won the Formula Renault Championship with Ricky Flynn driving an Orion Formula Renault Chassis.

In 1995 they finished third in the Championship with Edward Horner, who went on to become a multiple Championship Winner. In 1996 and 1997 they ran Alex Yoong who become a Minardi Forumla One driver in 2002, as well as triple world touring car champion, Andy Priaulx.

In 2004 Rob returned to the circuits racing in the Mini Challenge, finishing runner up in the 2005 Championship and tenth overall in the World Final. In 2007 he competed in the Seat Cupra Championship and this year has competed on occasions for Team RSA in the Belgium Renault Clio Championship.

CHRIS DEAR – CHIEF ENGINEER

Chris’ background is from the wheel alignment industry, although also a very successful racer in his own right, having won the British MG Series in recent years. Chris continues to race in Europe from time to time.

Chris is responsible for all technical aspects of the Clio Cup Car and works with the drivers on set up and strategy. Chris also takes responsibility for data acquisition as well as team logistics.

JASON COX – SENIOR MECHANIC

Jason has worked with Rob for many years, initially helping out in the Mini Challenge, but also extending his responsibility working through the Seat Cupra Championship and this year as number one mechanic on the Clio Cup Car.

Jason has also recently passed his technician examinations with Lexus.

ELISE TROPHY AND LOTUS CUP EUROPE 2010

Lotus On Track run a formidable Championship for Lotus Elise production cars in both Britain and Europe.

The grids are over subscribed and they run up to 50 cars at each round.  The normal format is that on the smaller circuits the top qualifiers to race against each other and the lower qualifiers to have their own separate race.  Thereafter the grids are reversed and there is normally an A Final and a B Final. 

Where the circuits can accommodate all of the runners there are normally two races with a reverse grid for the top ten runners in the second race.

Lotus On Track have run the Series successfully for the past 5 years and now enjoy the prestige of supporting not only the DTM, the World Touring Car Championship and also the European Formula 2 Championship, but have also been actively involved in the recent Classic Team Lotus Festival, which took place at Snetterton. 

In Europe races take place in Britain, Holland, France, Belgium and Germany.

PRODUCTION CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP

A front running Lotus Elise S1 car weighs 825kg (with the driver) and produces 151 bhp at the hubs.

Compared with the road going car the race car benefits from uprated suspension and induction, full race spec and upgraded brakes, cut Yokohama, as well as all standard FIA safety equipment. Being rear wheel drive the cars are initially quite tricky to drive, but do give enourmous pleasure and come with the normal Lotus handling characteristics.

Team RSA have developed a front running race car and also a sister car which can compete in both Championships. It can also can be used to teach a novice driver the intricacies of such a race car.

 

DRIVER COACHING

Team RSA offer "one to one" driver coaching with an experienced race car driver. A programme can be tailored to suit any driver wishing to be able to compete at the front.

TRACK DAYS

Through Lotus On Track, Team RSA offer the opportunity for any driver to either enjoy ‘one to one’ coaching or subject to ability and experience, the opportunity to drive on any of the Lotus On Track, Track Days.

HOSPITALITY

Team RSA can accommodate all drivers and sponsors hospitality needs and welcome the opportunity of discussing with any potential drivers or sponsors their specific requirements.

Both Championships incorporate a certain level of high quality hospitality which can be tailored to individuals requirements.

2010 ASPIRATIONS

Team RSA now have the infrastructure and experience in place to be able to compete at the highest level. We believe that any driver who wishes to compete at the front should seriously consider running with Team RSA.

We welcome enquiries from all suitably funded drivers who may wish to just test a car or consider individual rounds, as well as a possible full championship assault should contact us immediately.

OUR SERVICE

No-one has ever doubted that motor sport is not expensive. However, Team RSA are dedicated to your success and therefore believe that you and your sponsors outlay should be seen as an investment in your future motor sport career. In turn our expertise will enable you to reach your goals and also secure the long term future of Team RSA.

For 2010 your participation in the Championship will include the following:

• Full transportation to and from the circuit
• 1 Chief Engineer shared between 2 cars
• 1 dedicated mechanic working on your race car
• 1 junior mechanic shared between 2 cars
• "One to One" driver coaching.
• Full race preparation to include set-up meeting by meeting gearbox and engine oil changes, new breakpads etc.
• New tyres to be provided as and when necessary.
• Full data acquisition access with development coach and team mate
• Race entry fee
• Race and test fuel
• 765 square feet of floor area with professional awning and flooring provided
• Light refreshments and basic hospitality arrangements within the awning space
• Full paperwork service including ferry bookings and hotel bookings
• Labour costs for accident damage whilst at race meetings only
• All workshop costs and transportation insurance.

What is not included:

• The cost of the Lotus Elise race car or annual leasing costs
• Race car insurance (see our quotation)
• Accident damage or labour costs whilst away from the circuit.

CONTACT

Please contact Team Principal, Rob Austin, to discuss your aspirations by any of the following means:

Work:	01794 367013
Mobile:	07770 236192
Fax:	01794 367813
E-Mail:	robaust@btinternet.com

or Chris Dear our Chief Engineer on 07764 939313 email: chris.dear@tiscali.co.uk